Hells Angels resurgence in Ottawa and Gatineau concerns police

The Hells Angelsbiker gangis expanding its presence in the national capital regionwith the help ofthe Red Devils,aproxy group or "farm team"for the international crime organization, CBC News has learned

According to police, the Red Devils biker gangnow hasthree branches hereone in Ottawa and two inGatineauand membersare actively recruiting throughout the region, drafting newcomersfrom local biker gang Dark Souls Outaouais.

"[Red Devils]all wear a jacket with the name Ottawa, but there are three sections," said Ontario Provincial PoliceDetective Sergeant LenIsnor, who works in the control unit against biker gangs.

The Ottawa North and Ottawa East sections of the Red Devils are based in Gatineau, and the third section is based in Ottawa itself, according to Isnor. Most of the gang's Ontario members live in the Cornwall area.

'It's the motive of every Red Devils member to become a member of the HellsAngels'

Police say that in its role as a sort of "farm team"for Hells Angels, the Red Devils do the dirty work in the regiondealing drugs, prostitution, and extortionfunneling money up to the Angels.

"It's the motive ofevery Red Devils member to become a member of the HellsAngels,"said Isnor.

In Quebec,the Hells Angels were effectively pushed out of the province in 2009, when police enacted a stunning sweep of the organization,arresting 156people, including 111 full patch members.

• Hells Angels raids 'dismantle' biker gang in Quebec

Eversincethoseraidsdisrupted operations, the Angels'leaders and members havebecomefarmorecautious,accordingtoSylvainTremblay, a formerinvestigator withSret du Qubecand expert on organized crime.

Other gangs act as buffers

Tremblay said rather than distributingdrugs itself, the organizationrents out territories to other gangs, who act as buffers between the Hells Angelsand on-the-ground criminal activity.

That means the group has essentially deputized people who are willing to take risks on its behalf, according to Tremblay.Hebelievesthe police fight against biker gangs will be increasingly difficult in Ottawa and Gatineau,due to the risein new recruits.