27 charged in big Hells Angels takedown

OPP NEWS RELEASE

******************** Project Husky - 27 charged in relation to organized crime, conspiracy and drug trafficking

THUNDER BAY, ON, Jan. 19 - Yesterday, January 18th 2006, officers from the joint forces investigation, Project HUSKY, charged 27 people for their connection in drug trafficking and organized crime in Northern Ontario and other locales in Quebec and Alberta. Project HUSKY, a two-year, covert investigation focusing on specific Hells Angels motorcycle gang members and associates, began in January 2004.

During the investigation, a number of drug seizures, including cocaine, marihuana, ecstasy, percocets, and oxycontin, were made.

The controlled substances have a retail street value exceeding $2.3 million.

The charged individuals include five full members and one official hang-around of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang.

They have been charged with offences in relation to drug trafficking, violence and operating as a criminal organization.

In addition, 21 associates of the Hells Angels were also charged with various offences. On January 18th 2006, 15 search warrants were executed in relation to this investigation.

Firearms, other prohibited weapons, and stolen property were seized during the execution of the search warrants. The Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit has seized recreational vehicles, cash, and other assets.

The investigation continues. As a result of Project Husky, 27 people have been charged. Charged are: 1. Frank MAGISANO, age 39, of Thunder Bay, ON, full member of Hells Angels 2. Donald Joseph MINIER, age 39, of Thunder Bay, ON, full member of Hells Angels 3. Mario Joseph MINIER, age 42, of Thunder Bay, ON, full member of Hells Angels 4. Julien Alphonse ROUSEL, age 48, of Thunder Bay, ON, full member of Hells Angels 5. Andre Paulo WATTEEL, age 53, of Cambridge, ON, full member of Hells Angels 6. Lawrence McMahon, age 28, of Thunder Bay, ON, official hang-around of Hells Angels 7. Stephanie Diane BROCHU, age 34, of Longlac, ON, associate of Hells Angels 8. Nicholas Frank BRUYERE, age 26, of Fort Frances, ON, associate of Hells Angels 9. Crystal GODBOUT, aged 30, of Fort Frances, ON, associate of Hells Angels 10. Dion GODBOUT, age 33, of Fort Frances, ON, associate of Hells Angels 11. Janet GODBOUT, age 52, of Fort Frances, ON, associate of Hells Angels 12. Julian GODBOUT, age 26, of Fort Frances, ON, associate of Hells Angels 13. Donald Gordon HARRISON, age 46, of Kapuskasing, ON, associate of Hells Angels 14. Lois Anne-Marie MACVEY, age 56 of Thunder Bay, ON, associate of Hells Angels 15. Mario MIGNEAULT, age 33, of Kapuskasing, ON, associate of Hells Angels 16. Robert Joseph Sr. THIFFEAULT, age 53 of Opasatika, ON, associate of Hells Angels 17. Robert Jr. THIFFEAULT, age 20 of Opasatika, ON, associate of Hells Angels 18. Stephane Alphonse THIFFEAULT, age 31, of Piedmont, PQ, associate of Hells Angels 19. Joel GAUDREAULT, age 27, of Hearst, ON, associate of Hells Angels 20. Justin CAREMBESTOS, age 30, of Kenora, ON, associate of Hells Angels 21. Josh JOHNSTON, age 26, of Calgary, AB, associate of Hells Angels 22. Sluis YOLANDA, age 31, of Thunder Bay, ON, associate of Hells Angels 23. Earle CHEECHOO, age 31, of Thunder Bay, ON, associate of Hells Angels Arrest warrants are still to be executed on four individuals associated to this investigation. Project HUSKY is a joint forces investigation led by the Biker Enforcement Unit and the Thunder Bay Police Service.

The investigation involved the OPP North West Region, OPP North East Region, OPP Drug Enforcement Section, Provincial Assets Forfeiture Unit, and the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit (PWEU), with the assistance of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Sûreté du Québec, Escouade Régionale Mixte and the Calgary Police Service.

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