A couple of months ago, a police officer was talking to me about the strange case of Jacques “Israel” Emond, a full member of the Sherbrooke (Quebec) chapter of the Helis Angels and now living in Burnaby. The officer told an extra- ordinary story of frustration felt by the police in his case. Emond pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking in cocaine. As a result of the plea arrangement, other charges were dropped. He was sentenced to nine years in jail and after his first year, he was transferred to a B.C. prison. In 199] he was paroled and he obtained conditional variances to attend SFU. In 1993 he was arrested by the RCMP on an extradi- tion warrant emanating from indictments in Florida on two conspiracy charges and racketeering under the American federal RICO leg- islation used to fight orga- nized crime. The indictments allege he was part of a crimi- mailbox Is Ame crime and punishment nal conspiracy to traffic and import narcotics between 1976 and 1991. While he was on bail on the extradition warrant, he was arrested in 1995 ar Dorval airport in Montreal carrying approximately $50,000 in cash. Emond fought the extra- dition warrant and in 1997 the extradition request was quashed by federal Justice Minister Anne McLellan. At the time, Emond’s lawyer, Ken Westlake, who regularly acts for Hells Angels, said the 1987 plea agreement included out- standing charges in the U.S. At the time Westlake argued the Canadian govern- ment should have quashed the extradition warrant when it was received. According to 'S Case frustrates pol Westlake the US. Customs service and the Canadian government were part of the plea agreement. He was quoted in media reports at the time saying, “This sen- tence was one that was agreed to by all parties.” The DEA and the Department of Justice iawyers in Florida say the customs official didn’t have the authority to speak for them and wasn’t privy to the investigation in question. They also allege that Emond was part of the continued conspiracy through to 1992, even when he was in jail, and the continuation of the offence negates any deal made in 1987. Sounds like a reasonable argument to me. While on parole, the police say he continued to associate with members of the Hells Angels, a violation of his parole. He worked at Hiway Choppers, which is owned by John Peter Bryce, who police claim is the presi- dent of the East End Chapter of the Angels. Police sources claim Emond is every bit as active as ever and still wears Sherbrooke colours at club functions. Given that the Hells Angels own rules say mem- bers must live in their area of influence and attend regular clib meetings, the fact that Emond is still here wearing Quebec colours demon- strates the influence and power he kas in the organi- zation. In late May, after unsuc- cessful attempts to get infor- mation from the justice min- istry, I spoke to West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast MP and Reform Justice crivic John Reynolds about the matter. So Reynolds waded in. Numerous phone messages were followed with letters demanding answers and finally, he was given a response fast week. The answer provided essentially said it was a dead issue. Reynolds asked why an active member of the Hells Angeis was being shielded from U.S. justice based on what appears to be a flawed ylea agreement. He was told, “if you can provide any information or evidence on Mr. Emond’s continuing involvement in 8G Ferries boss defends use of fast ferry Dear Editor: I'd like to respond to the editorial in your June 20 edi- tion (Too little, too late). The editorial suggests “super” ferries would have been a. better choice for Horseshoe Bay. The sole fast ferry concept hinges on smailer, more frequent pulses of traffic being delivered into Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay. Superferrics, on the other hand, carry nearly twice as many (including commercial trucks, which, when the sec- ond PacifiCat comes into ser- vice later this year, will no longer go through Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay). This service concept works well in the large termi- nals of Tsawwassen and: Swartz. Bay, but would not be at all appropriate for Nanaimo and Horseshoe ‘David Nex eel “Native JEWELLERY/ Weppinc RINGS” 441 West 3rd Sweet, North Vancouver 988-5215 vehicles. The PacifiCats are a good choice for the Departure Bay —- Horseshoe Bay route. The terminal construction costs for superferries would have required a minimum expen- diture of $110 million. In addition, each superferry would cost between $180 million and $190 million. Further, traffic conges- Sizes 8-16. * wos 1249-1499 “Then 699-799. tion would continue to pres- sure the terminals if superfer- ries served this route. If it’s bad now, imagine how it would be in five or 10 years — with the tight geo- graphical constraints, con- stantly increasing demand and continued commercial truck traffic use. The PacifiCat program has devel- oped many new jobs on the North Shore and provided a solution designed to address existing transportation prob- lems in and around BC Ferries’ terminals at Horseshoe Bay and Depa arture Bay Lingwood Presidiene and CEO BC Ferry Corp Vednesday, July 21, 1999 - North Shore News - 7 illegal or criminal activities, the minister would look into the situation.” Huh? This would appear to mean Js far as the minister is concerned Emond is nicely re-habilitated and no longer involved with the outlaw motorcycle gang. According to the police this is ludi- crous, Let’s look at an excerpt trom the RCMP Gusette. “Make no mistake about it, bikers are now as sophisticat- ed as the old organized crime families. “They are far more prone to violence when provoked, and certainly more arrogant. “They seldom miss an opportunity to make money or to kill someone in the way of profits. “The more illegal the scam, the more it is pre- ferred. If you can nip off society and put one over on the establishment in the process, that’s showing Intelligence Serviecs Canada) own report to the House of Commons states “drug traf- ficking is the most jucrative activity for criminal motorcy- cle gangs. This ts particularly true of the Hells Ange!s who, thanks to support from their affiliated clu S$, are a major distnbutor and seller of drugs from coast to coast.” Who is the minister try- ing to kid by asking for information or evidence from Reynolds? All she need do is read the reports that surely cross her desk to know what's going on. Or, before deciding on some- thing like the extradition request on very serious charges, ask someone who knows about these things. The American justice offi- cials are still shaking their heads over this case. Anyone smell a cover-up? — lknight@direct.ca ees, approved ~ 21 pt. Safety check, 15 minutes - FAST! 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