The Hells Angels clubhouse on Victoria Rd. is back in the hands of the organization after they won a lengthy court battle. (The Canadian Press)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Hells Bells

Nanaimo Hells Angels regain dilapidated club house after lengthy court battle

Jun 12, 2020 | 12:36 PM

NANAIMO — The Hells Angels have won a lengthy criminal case and will have several clubhouses, including one in Nanaimo, returned to them.

The Nanaimo clubhouse on Victoria Rd. was seized back in 2007 after a multi-year investigation into the alleged criminal activities of Hells Angels members in Nanaimo.

Several motorcycles were still inside the building when it was closed.

Those motorcycles and use of the building will now be returned to the Hells Angels after the Civil Forfeiture Office lost its bid to take sell the buildings.

A long-winded ruling from the B.C. Supreme Court released on Thursday, June 11 said the office didn’t fully prove its case the clubhouses were used for criminal activity.

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Evidence submitted showed Hells Angels members wouldn’t discuss criminal activity at any clubhouses and knew they were under constant surveillance.

Signs saying “Watch What You Say in this Clubhouse, the Walls Have Ears” were hung in the building and sign language was used to communicate illicit details.

“I find it reasonable to infer an organization that promotes secrecy in relation to police scrutiny does so to avoid the detection of crime,” Davies said. “However, it is not reasonable to infer prevention of crime detection is the only reason for secrecy.”

No direct evidence was submitted tying “discussion or initiation of criminal activity” to the Nanaimo clubhouse.

The Hells Angels presence has diminished in Nanaimo in recent years, sparked by the loss of the clubhouse.

The chapter was first formed in 1983. The 35th anniversary of the founding was celebrated with a ride through the area in the summer of 2018.

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