FILE PHOTO
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/CFSEU-BC
September 28, 2023 - 10:52 AM
Four of seven people charged in a Hells Angels investigation that connected suspects from the North Okanagan and the Lower Mainland have pleaded guilty so far.
The most recent guilty plea came from Courtney Lafreniere on Sept. 27, who is a full patch member of the biker gang, according to the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of BC in a media release.
Lafreniere was initially facing three charges, but pleaded guilty to possessing the proceeds of crime.
The only suspect charged in the North Okanagan was Oakley Charest of Vernon, who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and two firearm charges on May 31, according to BC's gang enforcement squad.
All seven men were charged on Dec. 6, 2022, after an investigation that spanned more than two years came to a close.
The gang squad executed 12 warrants across the North Okanagan from Sept. 2020 to July 2021, seizing drugs, weapons and cash in the process.
"This investigation is a testament to the dedication and tenacity of our investigators to hold those who deal in drug and are involved in criminal activity to account and brought to justice," gang squad spokesperson, Sgt Brenda Winpenny, said in the release.
Charest initially faced eight charges, more than any of the other men. The other three who pleaded guilty are only facing one criminal charge each, while Charest still faces a sentence for three.
Natthew Shaw also pleaded guilty on May 31 to drug possession for the purpose of trafficking. Another man, Jonatahn Lutar, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking on Sept. 25, according to the combined forces unit.
Two men who haven't pleaded guilty, Roman and Lukas Tassone, are each scheduled to appear in court again in October.
The seventh man, Allan Arcangel, died before his court proceedings came to a close, according to a Vancouver is Awesome report. His death which wasn't deemed suspicious.
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