THE arrest of Manitoba Hells Angels president Dale Donovan and numerous associates on drug, gun and murder conspiracy charges is turning into one of the biggest crackdowns on the outlaw bikers in Western Canada.
Kelowna RCMP uncovered a huge illegal gun cache allegedly connected to the outlaw motorcycle gang just hours after Wednesday's police raids in Manitoba.
Kelowna RCMP show weapons, cash and paraphernalia seized in raid.
Staff Sgt. Neil Skippon said the gun seizure came as a spin-off of Project Drill, a year-long police investigation against the Manitoba Hells Angels. Two out-of-province Hells Angels were also arrested.
Police found five handguns, two assault rifles (including an AR-15), a shotgun, an Uzi type hand-held submachine and two Tasers hidden inside a Kelowna home.
RCMP said most of the guns were easily accessible within the home and fully loaded. A 30-year-old woman, her two-year-old child and a 29-year-old man were inside at the time.
Police also searched a 2007 Cadillac Escalade parked outside and found it had been outfitted with a secret hydraulic compartment. Five small .32 calibre single shot handguns -- which are easily concealed in a coat or pant pocket -- were hidden inside.
In the garage, officers found a homemade bomb hidden in a floor safe. The bomb posed no immediate danger and was safely disposed of.
Charges are pending against the 29-year-old man located at the residence and one other man. Their names have not been released.
Two B.C. residents were also arrested this week in connection with the Manitoba operation.
Donald Bryce Lyons, 34, of Kelowna is charged with multiple drug offences. RCMP said he is a member of the Independent Soldiers Organization, which is a puppet gang of the Hells Angels in B.C.
A second Kelowna man, Hells Angels member Lester Robert Jones, 35, was arrested earlier Wednesday. Jones also faces drug charges. A report in the Kelowna Daily Courier said Jones was arrested as he put up Christmas lights.
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