The festivities of the 35e anniversary of the Quebec chapter of the Hells Angels began Friday in the Frampton area in Beauce. While about fifty members in good standing are already on site, about as many are expected in the coming hours.
• Read also: 35 years of conflict and betrayal for the Quebec Hells Angels
• Read also: The Hells Angels of Quebec now operate as a family business
“Quebec, Montreal and the maritime brothers have already been on site since yesterday, notes the former investigator of the Quebec City Police Service (SPVQ) Roger Ferland. All chapters in Quebec have the obligation to send members, as it is a major event.
Several police officers from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) were deployed around the entrance to the 2nd row, where the event took place over the weekend.
Some of them have settled directly across the street from where the bikers congregate. They took pictures of the various underworld actors present.
No official police roadblock was set up by the SQ for the occasion. According to Mr. Ferland, the police force had to comply with the requirements of the courts which wish to limit profiling and random interceptions.
“Unlike organized crime, we are forced to respect the law and the regulations that are in force. […] It is to be expected that the police will strictly enforce the rules of road safety, ”explains the former investigator in relation to the way in which the police must now go about controlling criminal motorcyclists .
Summit meeting
If this gathering is an opportunity to celebrate the history of the Quebec Chapter, it is also an official graduation meeting for new members in good standing. While the festivities take place under a marquee with all the “angels of the underworld”, a more intimate ceremony also takes place in a secret location nearby.
“The Hells Angels take advantage of these major events to officially welcome the new “full patches”. They reward those who have succeeded in setting up a business interesting”, says Roger Ferland.
Screenshot TVA News
Unreassuring calm
According to the former police officer of the SPVQ, the fact that groups of outlaw bikers do not speak about them in connection with violent acts is not necessarily a good omen.
Former members of the Hells turned informers confided to him that it is when they are the calmest that their business “runs at full speed”.
CEOs
According to Mr. Ferland, all members of the Hells Angels must now be considered CEOs of companies.
“Once they have controlled everything that is illicit, they turn to the legal economy. This is what we see them doing now: buying businesses, buildings and laundering their money as much as they are able to do. […] They make loans for user vehicles for people who are not able to get one at the bank, they make loans because they have money and don’t know what to do with it. »