Hells Angel Kingpin Sentenced to 24.5 Years for Drug Scheme
Manitoba judge sentences high-level Hells Angel Damion Ryan to 24.5 years for leading an interprovincial drug trafficking scheme, Project Divergent.
A Manitoba judge yesterday delivered a stringent sentence of 24 and a half years in prison to Damion Ryan, a 45-year-old high-ranking member of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang. The ruling by Court of King’s Bench Justice Chris W. Martin in a Winnipeg courtroom concluded a multi-year interprovincial drug trafficking investigation known as Project Divergent.
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Justice Martin identified Ryan as the undisputed kingpin of a sophisticated criminal enterprise. This network was responsible for trafficking significant quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl across Canada, contributing to the nation’s ongoing opioid crisis. Ryan was found guilty in December of conspiring to traffic these illicit substances and conspiring to profit from the proceeds of crime as a member of the Wolfpack criminal organization.
Justice Martin’s Condemnation of Ryan’s Criminal Enterprise
In his sentencing decision, Justice Martin unequivocally stated that Mr. Ryan was the kingpin of the operation. The judge highlighted Ryan’s motivation by greed and his profound indifference to the devastating impact on drug users and society at large. The trial, according to Justice Martin, laid bare the cold-bloodedness inherent in high-level drug trafficking.
The Crown prosecutors, Kate Henley and Janna Hyman, had sought a sentence ranging from 23 to 25 years. Ryan’s defense counsel had requested a 15-year sentence, which Justice Martin deemed to have woefully missed the mark. The judge emphasized that the sentence needed to be sufficiently strict to deter both Ryan and other potential offenders from engaging in similar criminal activities.
Justice Martin noted Ryan’s failure to show any hint of remorse throughout the trial. This lack of contrition, coupled with his long-standing penchant for violence associated with the illicit drug industry, disentitled him to leniency during sentencing. The court recognized the clear and devastating harm caused by trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, particularly the unyielding consequences suffered by Manitoba and Winnipeg.
Project Divergent: Unmasking a High-Level Network
Ryan’s sentencing marks the culmination of Project Divergent, a comprehensive multi-year investigation led by the RCMP. This extensive probe resulted in nearly two dozen arrests across three Canadian cities in March 2022. Investigators at the time characterized Ryan as likely one of the most prolific organized crime members in Canada.
A crucial element of the prosecution’s case was the testimony of a dealer-turned-informant, identified only as Agent 66. This individual was coached by the RCMP to infiltrate Ryan’s network through various accomplices. Agent 66’s efforts provided critical insights into the inner workings of the organization, which included Ryan’s use of multiple aliases such as Mr. Wolf, Polar Bear, Berzerker, and Big Homie to insulate himself from direct detection.
After months of meetings, drug deals, and communications with criminal associates, Agent 66 met face-to-face with Ryan in late 2021. Prosecutors presented evidence from this meeting, which was secretly recorded by police, detailing discussions about drug transactions and even the sale of handguns. The investigation also revealed Ryan’s brother-in-law, Denis Ivziku, known as Menace, as a key associate who supplied Agent 66 with substantial quantities of illicit drugs.
Between September 2021 and February 2022, Ivziku supplied Agent 66 with 32 kilograms of methamphetamine, over one kilogram of processed fentanyl, and 1.5 kilograms of high-quality cocaine. The total value of these transactions approached 700,000 dollars. Ivziku, who spent four years evading authorities, was eventually arrested in Mexico last month. The use of encrypted messaging apps was a common tactic within the network, a challenge for law enforcement that highlights the broader issues around online privacy rights in criminal investigations.
Co-Conspirators and Broader Implications for Organized Crime
The Project Divergent investigation also led to the conviction of other key figures within Ryan’s network. Andre Steele, a co-conspirator, pleaded guilty last year to firearms trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Steele received a total sentence of 18 years in December, comprising 14 years for drug trafficking and four years for gun trafficking.
Justice Martin underscored Ryan’s central role, stating that he had distinct agreements to traffic cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, and to possess the proceeds of the drug dealing. The judge described Ryan as the common denominator, deeply and proudly rooted in a life of dangerous gangs, drugs, and guns. The scale of the seizures during Project Divergent was substantial, including 110 kilograms of cocaine, over 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, three kilograms of fentanyl, 500 grams of MDMA, 19 firearms, and more than 445,000 dollars in cash.
The Public Prosecution Service of Canada director, George Dolhai, issued a statement affirming that Ryan’s sentencing denounces organized crime generally. It also targets individual players who seek financial reward by preying on the vulnerable with no regard for the fatalities that ensue. This conviction sends a strong message to high-level criminal organizations, similar to the recent sentencing of a Senior Kinahan Figure McGovern, that law enforcement is committed to dismantling their operations.
This case highlights the persistent challenges faced by Canadian authorities in combating sophisticated interprovincial drug networks. The judge’s comments about the ‘whack-a-mole nature’ of this crime, where new individuals are always willing to step into vacated roles, underscore the ongoing need for robust law enforcement strategies. The severity of Ryan’s sentence reflects the judiciary’s increasing resolve to impose significant penalties on those who orchestrate the distribution of highly addictive and deadly substances, particularly fentanyl, which continues to fuel a national public health crisis. Such legal actions are part of a broader landscape of new Canadian laws taking effect to address various societal challenges.
The successful prosecution of Damion Ryan, despite his attempts to insulate himself and delay proceedings by cycling through numerous lawyers, demonstrates the effectiveness of long-term, intelligence-led investigations like Project Divergent. It also showcases the critical role of informants, albeit with the inherent risks and costs associated with witness protection. The outcome serves as a stark reminder that even the most entrenched figures in organized crime are not beyond the reach of justice, reinforcing the commitment to public safety and the rule of law in Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Damion Ryan’s role in the drug trafficking scheme?
Damion Ryan was identified by Court of King’s Bench Justice Chris W. Martin as the ‘kingpin’ and ‘common denominator’ of an interprovincial drug trafficking scheme. He was a high-ranking Hells Angel member who directed a sophisticated network involved in the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl across Canada.
What is Project Divergent?
Project Divergent was a multi-year, interprovincial RCMP investigation that culminated in the arrest of Damion Ryan and nearly two dozen other individuals in March 2022. The operation targeted international drug trafficking networks and resulted in significant seizures of illicit drugs, firearms, and cash.
What is the significance of this sentence for organized crime?
The 24.5-year sentence for Damion Ryan, a high-level Hells Angel, sends a strong message denouncing organized crime and its leaders. It underscores the judiciary’s commitment to imposing severe penalties on those who profit from drug trafficking and contribute to the opioid crisis, aiming to deter others from similar activities and disrupt established criminal networks.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Damion Ryan to 24 and a half years in prison represents a significant victory for law enforcement in the ongoing battle against organized crime and illicit drug trafficking in Canada. It underscores the judiciary’s firm stance against individuals who, driven by greed, orchestrate the distribution of deadly substances with callous disregard for human life. While the challenge of dismantling such networks remains complex, this decisive action against a high-level Hells Angel member serves as a powerful deterrent and a clear affirmation of justice.
