Four members connected to the Nanaimo chapter of Hell's Angels are facing over 40 criminal charges stemming from a four and a half year investigation. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

bust made

Over 40 charges laid against alleged drug traffickers tied to Nanaimo Hells Angels chapter

Dec 1, 2022 | 3:47 PM

NANAIMO — A long list of drug and weapon charges have been laid against against four men, which includes Nanaimo Hells Angels members, following a lengthy police investigation.

A Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) news release issued on Thursday, Dec. 1 outlined 41 criminal charges against alleged drug traffickers, which the CFSEU alleged helped prevented the organization’s alleged expansion plans.

The joint investigation launched in 2018 with the RCMP’s Federal Serious Organized Crime unit resulted in the seizure of 22 weapons and over 13 kilograms of various illegal drugs, the CFSEU release stated.

“The investigation employed various investigative techniques, gathering information over several months that led investigators to believe the Hells Angels intended to expand their drug trafficking operations and create other Hells Angels chapters on Vancouver Island.”

(submitted photos/CFSEU-BC)

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Charged as part of the investigation are Kristopher Stephen Smith, 44 of Nanaimo, William Bradley Thompson, 58 of Ladysmith, William Karl Paulsen, 51 of Campbell River and Sean Oliver Douglas Kendall, 44, of Port Alberni.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Smith, Paulsen and Kendall, the CFSEU stated.

Thompson was arrested and released pending a future court appearance.

The bust included the seizure of nearly eight kilograms of cocaine, 1.9 kilograms of crystal meth, 248 oxycodone pills and numerous guns, including rifles, pistols and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Five tubes of commercial emulsion explosives were also seized.

One home was restrained and three vehicles seized as alleged offence related property.

In addition to targeting the Hells Angels based in Nanaimo, the CFSEU stated their investigation also involved the “Savages BC” and “Devils Army MC”.

The CFSEU is a Lower Mainland based investigative team tasked with addressing organized crime in the province.

Explosives and considerable amounts of cash, drugs and weapons were seized by officers during the over four year investigation. (submitted photos/CFSEU-BC)

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