Hells Angels are behind much of a rising tide of crystal meth production in British Columbia – and it rivals the early days of the province's marijuana grow-op industry, an internal RCMP report says.



Crystal meth is cheap, highly addictive and
can be made from readily obtained
chemicals. (TimWright/Associated Press)

A report from the RCMP's criminal analysis section in the province, obtained by CBC News, also says the motorcycle gang and other organized crime groups are mixing highly addictive crystal meth with other, less harmful drugs.

The report says drugs such as ecstasy, ketamine and marijuana are being laced with crystal meth to create a generation of instant addicts.

Crystal meth – also known as methamphetamine – is a cheap, highly addictive drug that can be made from readily obtained chemicals.

Sgt. Al Haslett, of the RCMP's organized crime intelligence branch, says the Hells Angels have control of much of the country's crystal meth production and distribution.

"They do, there's no doubt – to the extent they are financing individuals who can set up labs and make the product, and reaping profits from it," Haslett said.

Biker expert and author Julian Sher agreed, saying the organization has already moved into the crystal meth market in the United States.

The move makes sense because the drug is easy to manufacture, Sher said.

"You don't have to worry about bringing it in from Venezuela, you don't have to worry about getting through customs. It can be sold in much cheaper and smaller quantities," Sher said.

"So the bikers have moved in in a huge way in meth and it's caught on like wildfire among young people," he said.

Kelowna youth worker Daryl Roberts says 50 per cent of all young people treated for addiction in the Okanagan city say they're using crystal meth.

"You can be hooked the first time," Roberts said. "It doesn't take long to take you right down. You steal. The increase in crime, in car thefts, in break-and-enters, all of that stuff is related to the increase in crystal meth."

Canada's crystal meth problem is worst in British Columbia where a recent report suggested 190,000 people in the province had tried it from 2004-2005.

As it spreads across the country, a number of provinces have tightened restrictions on the sale of cold remedies containing pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient used to make the drug.