Senior Hells Angel Giles convicted of conspiracy to import, traffic cocaine
A senior member of the Kelowna Hells Angels was convicted in B.C. Supreme Court Friday of conspiracy to import 200 kilograms of cocaine after an undercover RCMP operation four years ago.
Justice Carol Ross also found David Giles guilty of conspiracy to traffic a half-tonne of cocaine and possession for the purpose of trafficking after he and an associate brokered a smuggling deal with police posing as South American drug lords.
Ross said video and audio recordings made by police proved Giles and his associate Kevin Van Kalkeren agreed to pay the undercover cops millions for the cocaine.
“It is clear that the plan was to sell the drugs in Canada,” Ross said.
Van Kalkeren earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine and was sentenced in May to 16 years in jail.
Ross referred to comments Giles made to the purported drug lords before the delivery of 200 kg of fake cocaine to a Burnaby warehouse Aug. 25, 2012.
“Giles expressed confidence in their ability to market the cocaine. The agreement was for 500 kilos. Mr. Giles’ proposal to proceed with 200 first was made so that the proceeds of the sale of the 200 could be applied to the purchase price for the 300.”
Giles, vice-president of the Kelowna Hells Angels chapter, told one of the officers “that he expected to be able to get rid of the 500 kilos in a couple of weeks,” Ross said.
Ross also convicted Kelowna Hells Angel Bryan Oldham of possession for the purpose of trafficking after he met with undercover police Aug. 24, 2012, and said he would step in if anything happened to Giles.
Hells Angels associate James Howard was convicted of both conspiracy to traffic and possession for the purpose of trafficking, but was acquitted of conspiracy to import the cocaine. Associate Shawn Womacks was found guilty of a single count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Michael Read, who the Crown alleged was part of the conspiracy and who delivered a suitcase containing $2 million to police, was acquitted of all charges.
Giles, 66, has been in custody since his arrest Aug. 25, 2012.
The case has been adjourned until Oct. 11 to fix a date for a sentencing and for the defence to make an application to throw out the charges because of trial delays.