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Former Hells Angels Clubhouses Hit the Market: A Seized Treasure Trove for Sale

B.C. Government’s Controversial Seizures: Former Hells Angels Clubhouses Hitting the Market

October 29, 2023, 6:17 amupdated March 12, 2024, 5:29 am 1.2k Views

Three Former Hells Angels Clubhouses In B.c. Heading For Sale

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Hells Angels Clubhouses For Sale

Former Hells Angels Clubhouses Hit the Market: A Seized Treasure Trove for Sale

Hells Angels Clubhouses For Sale are shedding their notorious past as the British Columbia government prepares to put them on the market.

“Unveiling the Transformation: Hells Angels Clubhouses in B.C. on the Market”

In the heart of British Columbia, a remarkable transformation is unfolding. Three former Hells Angels clubhouses, once shrouded in infamy, are now poised for sale. As these properties prepare to hit the market, a fascinating journey from criminal association to civic reclamation is beginning.

Reclaiming the Notorious: From Outlaw to Homestead

The East Vancouver home at 3598 East Georgia St., one of these former clubhouses, boasts a three-bedroom layout complete with a brick fireplace, a finished basement, and a private back deck. The most notable detail? The Hells Angels' deaths-head logos, once etched into the gables, have been removed. The winds of change are unmistakable, and the seller is undeniably motivated.

It's not every day that properties with such a dark past are brought into the light. These clubhouses, which have now come under the ownership of the British Columbia government, owe their transformation to a significant legal turning point. The Supreme Court of Canada's decision not to hear an appeal related to the province's controversial civil forfeiture process has cleared the path for this remarkable transition.

Valuation and History of Seizures

The East Vancouver house is now valued at $1.52 million by BC Assessment, signaling a fresh start. The two other properties, located in Kelowna and Nanaimo, further add to the intrigue of this story. As they join a collection worth $155 million, which includes cash, cars, homes, and even luxury purses and drones seized over the past 17 years, the question emerges: Can the past truly be erased, even if the previous owner was never convicted?

Balancing Justice and Civil Liberties

The government argues that civil forfeiture is a potent tool in the fight against organized crime, but it's a double-edged sword. Civil liberty advocates point out that it sometimes metes out criminal-like punishment without the safeguards of an actual criminal process. The repercussions of these proceedings extend well beyond the criminal ringleaders themselves.

The head of the Civil Forfeiture Office, Executive Director Phil Tawtel, argues that the legality of this process is now beyond question. The Chatterjee decision of 2009 paved the way, determining that legislation dealing with the proceeds of crime was legal. Now, with the latest decision, the scope has expanded to include the forfeiture of “instruments of crime,” including the notorious biker clubhouses.

The Inescapable Inference and its Consequences

A crucial turning point arrived with an earlier court ruling. The appeal court found an “inescapable” inference that these clubhouses would continue to be used for criminal activities. For many members, they served as a “safe space” to plan or commit their illicit acts. This perspective serves as a reminder of the critical role these properties played in the past.

Since its inception in 2006, the Civil Forfeiture Office has dedicated nearly half of the $155 million in seized assets to various crime prevention initiatives. However, these cases come to their attention only when police investigations stumble upon property linked to crime. Prosecutors, in such instances, decide not to pursue criminal forfeiture, bringing us to the threshold of civil forfeiture.

A Lower Threshold, A New Controversy

Unlike criminal court, civil forfeiture cases don't demand proof beyond a reasonable doubt to establish a connection to crime. Instead, they require a lower threshold of proof “on the balance of probability.” This distinction raises important questions about the fine line between justice and expediency.

Tawtel encourages those who challenge the notion that their property is connected to unlawful activity to step forward. Yet, Vibert Jack, litigation director with the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, underscores the constitutional protection of proving a crime beyond a reasonable doubt—a principle that doesn't apply to civil forfeiture.

Changing Lives and Disproportionate Penalties

While many may not sympathize with the Hells Angels' loss, it's essential to recognize that civil forfeiture isn't limited to notorious cases. People committing lesser crimes or even non-criminal offenses may find themselves subjected to this process. The penalties, at times, appear disproportionate to the alleged offenses, raising questions about the fairness and ethics of such a system.

The Unexplained Wealth Orders and Future Challenges

As we delve into the intricacies of this story, it's crucial to acknowledge that the Supreme Court of Canada's decision not to hear the Hells Angels case isn't the end of the road. The government recently passed amendments to the law, introducing unexplained wealth orders. These orders require individuals to account for the origins of their assets if there's a suspicion of unlawful activity.

The battle is far from over. Some predict that these new amendments will face challenges, especially in the sections concerning unexplained wealth orders. The landscape of civil forfeiture and its far-reaching implications continues to evolve.

A Transformation in Progress

This story of the Hells Angels' former clubhouses in British Columbia is a testament to the power of the law and the ever-evolving nature of justice. As these properties are readied for sale, it is clear that their significance stretches far beyond real estate transactions. This tale of transformation, reclamation, and the pursuit of justice underscores the complex interplay between civil liberties, criminal history, and the law. In the end, the questions it raises are as compelling as the story itself.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts on this unique journey from infamy to the open market, where these once-notorious clubhouses are being given a chance for a new beginning.

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