Dozens of members of the Hells Angels and their subordinate clubs and supporters began to converge since the beginning of the afternoon towards Saint-Denis-de-Brompton, near Sherbrooke, in the Eastern Townships.
Bikers come together for what the international organization calls the First Run, that is to say the first motorcycle ride of the season.
The event opened under heavy police surveillance.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Each biker who showed up at the event on Friday was systematically identified by investigators specializing in organized crime from the Sûreté du Québec.
A police barrier was erected on rue D-Petit, where the gathering took place, and each biker who presented himself was systematically identified by investigators specializing in organized crime from the Sûreté du Québec, the Police Department of the City of Montreal and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and their mechanized mounts and vehicles sent for inspection.
Fines for non-compliance or non-compliance with the road safety code have been issued.
The First run is an annual event and for the 2e consecutive year, it takes place on a discreet and remote property on which the premises of the Gitans de Sherbrooke, a school club of the local Hells Angels, are located.
In Quebec, there are currently less than 80 members of the Hells Angels spread across five sections, Montreal, Quebec, Trois-Rivières, Sherbrooke and South, and a few hundred bikers belonging to more than 40 school, junior or sympathizing clubs.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
At 4 p.m. Friday afternoon, at least forty members of the Hells Angels from Quebec and a few from the Maritimes had been observed, and bikers from more than twenty other clubs.
The Hells Angels are considered by the police to be the largest criminal organization in Quebec and Canada.
More than sixty Intelligence police officers, organized crime squads, specialized in compliance with the road safety code and the conformity of vehicles and patrol officers are taking part in the supervision operation which will be spread over over several hours.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
The SQ even mobilized a helicopter which flew over the site a few times.
The First run takes place throughout the weekend and the main motorcycle ride normally takes place on Saturday.
To contact Daniel Renaud, call 514 285-7000, ext. 4918, write to [email protected] or write to the postal address of The Press.