Hell’s Angels clubhouse in Kelowna still active despite civil forfeiture claim

KELOWNA – Despite a civil forfeiture claim against it, the Hell’s Angels clubhouse in Kelowna’s North End has been busy lately with lots of big bikes coming and going.

That could come to an end early next year when the Angels and their lawyers face off against the B.C. Civil Forfeiture office in a Vancouver courtroom.

Senior public affairs officer Kate Trotter said the litigation against the clubhouse owner continues but the property is still theirs to use, although she would not comment on the recent activity.

“The registered owner has possession of the clubhouse at this time,” Trotter said. “Because the civil forfeiture case remains before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

The Kelowna clubhouse at 871 Ellis Street has been a target of the civil forfeiture office since 2012 when it began proceedings against the registered owner.

The forfeiture office is also trying to seize the Vancouver and Nanaimo clubhouses.

A bid to quash the seizure was dismissed last February in a Vancouver courtroom.

In his judgement, Justice Barry Davies described the clubhouses as “safe havens” used by Hell’s Angels members and their associates to plan and commit crimes.

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