Seizure of firearms and drugs, and arrests help prevent expansion of Hells Angels on Vancouver Island (updated December 5)

Photo: CFSEU-BC

MONDAY (DECEMBER 5) UPDATE:

Sean Oliver Douglas Kendall turned himself in to authorities in relation to his arrest warrant.

FRIDAY UPDATE:

The CFSEU-BC announced on Friday that on Thursday, William Karl Paulsen was arrested by investigators and released awaiting the court process.

 

 

THE Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) has approved 41 counts of criminal charges against a number of alleged drug traffickers, including members of the Hells Angels, as a result of a Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC)-led investigation in partnership with the RCMP’s Federal Serious Organized Crime (FSOC) unit.

The investigation that began in 2018 resulted in the seizure of 22 firearms, over 13 kg of various illegal drugs, and arrests that helped prevent the expansion of Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) Chapters on Vancouver Island.
In June, 2018, CFSEU-BC’s Island team entered into a Joint Forces Operation (JFO) with the RCMP’s Federal Serious Organized Crime (FSOC) unit targeting the criminal networks of members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in Nanaimo and their support clubs, the  “Savages MC” and “Devils Army MC” and their alleged drug trafficking operation on Vancouver Island.

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.

Over a period of approximately 22 months, evidence was obtained that progressed the investigation leading to the PPSC approving a total of 41 charges against four individuals on November 30.

Tubes of explosives


Seized during the course of the investigation:
– Cocaine – 7.75 kg
– Methamphetamine – 1.9 kg
– Cannabis – 4 kg
– Pills – 248 Oxycodone
– Other Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) (can be buff, etc) 1.2 kg (cutting agents)
– Hand guns – 1 Uzi, 5 pistols
– Long guns – 12 Rifles, 4 shotguns
– Magazines – 6 oversized prohibited
– Ammunition – in excess of 4,500 rounds
– 25 electronic devices
– 5 tubes of commercial emulsion explosives
In addition, one residence has been restrained and three motor vehicles were seized as offence-related property.

The following four individuals have been charged:

Sean Oliver Douglas Kendall

– Sean Oliver Douglas Kendall, a 44- year-old male from Port Alberni, has been charged with:
o 3 counts of unlawfully selling cannabis to an undercover police officer.
o 4 counts of unlawfully trafficking a controlled substance, cocaine.

Kristopher Stephen Smith

– Kristopher Stephen Smith, a 44-year-old male from Nanaimo, has been charged with:
o 2 counts of unlawfully trafficking a controlled substance, cocaine.
o 1 count of possess a non-restricted firearm, without being the holder of a licence under which he may possess the firearm.
o 1 count of unlawfully transfer a non-restricted firearm, knowing that he was not authorized to do so under the Firearms Act, or any other Act of Parliament or any regulation made under any Act of Parliament.
o 1 count of unlawfully traffic in a controlled substance, oxycodone.
o 1 count of unlawfully transfer a prohibited firearm, knowing that they were not authorized to do so under the Firearms Act, or any other Act of Parliament or any regulation made under any Act of Parliament.
– William Bradley Thompson, a 58-year-old male from Ladysmith, has been charged with:
o 1 count of unlawfully transfer a prohibited firearm, gun, knowing that they were not authorized to do so under the Firearms Act, or any other Act of Parliament or any regulation made under any Act of Parliament.
o 3 counts possess an unloaded prohibited firearm, together with readily accessible ammunition capable of being discharged in the firearm, without being the holder of an authorization or licence under which he may possess the firearm in that place and a registration certificate for the firearm.
o 1 count possess an unloaded restricted firearm, together with readily accessible ammunition capable of being discharged in the firearm, without being the holder of an authorization or a licence under which he may possess the restricted firearm in that place and a registration certificate for the firearm.

o 1 count possess restricted firearms, without being the holder of a licence under which he may possess the firearms and a registration certificate for the firearms.
o 1 count possess non-restricted firearms, without being the holder of a licence under which he may possess the firearms.
o 2 counts possess a prohibited device, knowing that he was not the holder of a licence under which he may possess it.
o 1 count possess firearms, prohibited devices, and ammunition, while he was prohibited from doing so by an order made under the Criminal Code.
o 1 count unlawfully possess a controlled substance, cocaine.

William Karl Paulsen

– William Karl Paulsen, a 51-year-old male from Campbell River, has been charged with the following offences:
o 15 counts of unlawfully trafficking a controlled substance, cocaine.
o 1 count of unlawfully trafficking a controlled substance, methamphetamine.
o 1 count without lawful excuse have in his possession six tubes of Senatel Magnafrac explosives, an explosive substance.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Smith, Paulsen, and Kendall. If anyone has any information in connection to the location of these men you are requested to contact your local police or Crime Stoppers. Thompson has been arrested and was released awaiting the court process.
The results of this proactive joint investigation led by the CFSEU-BC disrupted an alleged significant drug trafficking network and the Hells Angels from expanding on Vancouver Island.
“This lengthy and complex investigation spanned over four years and included over 50 dedicated resources resulting in significant seizures of potentially deadly drugs and serious charges,” said Assistant Commissioner Manny Mann, Chief Officer for CFSEU-BC, on Thursday. “Our mandate and ability to work with our partner agencies to investigate across multiple jurisdictions allows us to investigate gang members and groups who impact public safety in multiple communities.”
“By successfully bringing this joint force operation to prosecution, BC RCMP FSOC, and CFSEU-BC have demonstrated our collective ability to effectively collaborate across federal and provincial lines in order to fulfill our shared mandate of protecting BC, against the most serious threats,” said Superintendent Richard Bergevin, Officer in Charge of BC RCMP Federal Policing – FSOC Major Projects.