RCMP have seized an assault rifle, handguns and nearly $4-million in cash, pictured in Vancouver on August 27, 2012, from the Hells Angels of Kelowna, B.C.Handout/The Canadian Press
Brian Oldham, believed to be the Hells Angels sergeant-at-arms for the gang's Kelowna chapter, voluntarily surrendered himself Tuesday afternoon to the Burnaby RCMP detachment after police issued a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest.
"He may have thought better of trying to stay hidden for too much longer," said Sergeant Duncan Pound, an RCMP media relations officer.
Mr. Oldham was wanted by authorities after an almost two-year investigation by RCMP officials that saw seven others – including the Hells Angels' Kelowna chapter vice-president, David Giles – charged for drug-related offences over the weekend.
Since turning himself in, Mr. Oldham has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking a controlled substance, said Sgt. Pound. Mr. Oldham is being held by authorities for a Wednesday morning appearance in a B.C. provincial court, he said.
The investigation, led by the Federal Drug Enforcement Branch, looked into a plan to import 500 kilograms of cocaine into Canada and seized $4-million of alleged drug money. The RCMP said they shared intelligence on the file with several U.S. law enforcement agencies, the Mexican Federal Police and Panamanian authorities.
The investigation included officers infiltrating the Hells Angels and searching their Kelowna club house on Saturday.
Mr. Giles – and three others – are charged with conspiracy to import a controlled substance and conspiracy to traffic a controlled substance. Mr. Giles was arrested without incident in Burnaby on Saturday.