News Release

For Immediate Release
March 28, 2008

NEWS

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. 

QUOTES

“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.”

QUICK FACTS

• Since November 2003, $5 million in property has been forfeited to the Crown under provincial civil forfeiture law.  An additional $11.6 million in property is frozen pending the completion of civil forfeiture proceedings.
• Civil forfeiture proceeds have funded approximately $1 million in compensation to victims of unlawful activity and more than $900,000 in grants to law enforcement agencies.

LEARN MORE

Learn more about civil forfeiture in Ontario. 

Read about outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Read the Civil Remedies Act.