An outlaw motorcycle gang clubhouse has been forfeited under provincial civil forfeiture law.Lawyers for the Attorney General demonstrated to the civil court that a Heron Street clubhouse in Thunder Bay was an instrument of unlawful activity,
including drug possession and trafficking. On March 27, 2008, the Superior
Court ordered it forfeited to the Crown.
"Ontario is a world leader in the use of civil forfeiture law," said
Attorney General Chris Bentley. "It's an innovative law that allows the court
to take away property and assets used as instruments of unlawful activity by
outlaw motorcycle gangs and other criminal organizations."
"In Ontario, unlawful activity doesn't pay," said Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder
Bay-Atikokan. "Instead, Ontario's civil forfeiture legislation allows for
forfeited proceeds to support victims and prevent victimization."
"Outlaw biker gangs are not welcome in our neighbourhoods," said Michael
Gravelle, MPP Thunder Bay-Superior North. "The Attorney General is using civil
forfeiture law to help protect our community by taking away property used for
unlawful activity."
"This is a very significant forfeiture," said Detective Inspector Dan
Redmond, Unit Commander of the Ontario Provincial Police-led Biker Enforcement
Unit. "Outlaw motorcycle gangs and their associates need to know that we're
going to use every available criminal and civil law tool to deal with unlawful
activity."
"The outlaw biker clubhouse in Thunder Bay has long been a thorn in our
side," said Thunder Bay Police Chief Robert Herman. "Its forfeiture is a good
news story for our community and demonstrates our commitment to working with
our partners to stop the unlawful activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs."