Hells Angels | Returned to the penitentiary due to conflict with street gangs

If the parole of Hells Angels Bernard Plourde was recently suspended and has just been revoked, it is indirectly due to the violent conflict which has opposed bikers and street gangs for several months, reveals a decision of the Parole Commission of the Canada (CLCC).

Plourde, 60 years old, member of the Trois-Rivières section, is considered by the police to be the Hells Angels who control the territories of the Saguenay region where he lives for the sale of narcotics.

In 2020, he was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to gangsterism, conspiracy and cocaine trafficking.

He had obtained his automatic release at two-thirds of his sentence in April 2023, but it was suspended in mid-March, for non-compliance with conditions. It has just been revoked.

Concerned criminals

In the 15-page decision of the CLCC, we learn in particular that investigators from the Sûreté du Québec informed Plourde last December that his life was threatened.

“The existing conflict between outlaw motorcycle gangs (BMHL) and the Blood Family Mafia (BMF) raises significant concerns for members of criminal organizations.

“In connection with the existing conflict between independent traffickers and the BMHL Hells Angels, the increase in armed violence, the numerous kidnappings and kidnappings which have occurred, the police are carrying out numerous operations including surveillance, tactical observations and investigations with criminalized groups,” underlines a commissioner in his decision.

Travel under escort

In mid-March of this year, Correctional Services obtained “completely reliable” information that Plourde was being escorted by individuals connected to the BMHL and the Hells Angels, and that they appeared to be ensuring his safety. and know its movements in advance.

Authorities believe that someone acted as an intermediary between Plourde and his protectors, who even rented a room in a hotel to coordinate with the Hells Angel’s travels and schedule.

“According to your release agent, the police reports clearly demonstrate that the people responsible for monitoring you were not there by chance and that the movements were organized, planned and well established, according to your own movements,” writes the commissioner. .

The police ? Not in his values

After his parole was suspended, Plourde defended himself, saying “he neither asked for anything nor spoke to anyone to set this scheme in motion.”

When the commissioner asked him if he should not have used other means to protect himself, Plourde replied “that it was not in his values ​​to ask for help from the police”.

The biker said he understood the fact that the Commission considered that he had violated the condition of not associating with people linked to a criminal organization, or with a criminal history.

Last year, Plourde committed four other violations, but which did not increase the risk to society, his release agent ruled.

The CLCC therefore decided to revoke his conditional release after the observations in mid-March, because the biker not only violated a condition, he also resorted, to ensure his protection, to a means that was “inadequate, even dangerous for public safety”.

In view of Plourde’s upcoming release, the CLCC imposes the usual conditions on him, but also that of remaining in an establishment recognized by the correctional services for the duration of his release.

In addition to the conflict between the leader of the BMF, Dave Turmel, alias le Pic, in the Capitale-Nationale region, the Sûreté du Québec also noted tensions between bikers and independent traffickers in the regions of the North Shore and Saguenay. and Mauricie.

In Saguenay and Mauricie, it is the wanted independent trafficker All Boivin, who would have already been manager of drug sales territories for Bernard Plourde, who would be in conflict with the Hells Angels.

To contact Daniel Renaud, call 514 285-7000, ext. 4918, write to [email protected] or write to the postal address of The Press.