CTV British Columbia - Hells Angels face new trial on gangsterism charges - CTV News: "Two B.C. Hells Angels already serving lengthy jail terms on drug-trafficking convictions have been ordered to face a new trial on gangsterism charges.

John Punko and Richard Potts were arrested after a two-year undercover RCMP investigation, and were convicted of drug-trafficking, conspiracy and proceeds of crime charges in 2009.

But defence lawyers managed to block charges that Punko and Potts committed those crimes on behalf of a criminal organization, the East End Hells Angels. A conviction on a criminal organization charge carries a maximum prison term of 14 years.

In a decision handed down Thursday, a three-judge panel at the B.C. Court of Appeal threw out those acquittals, ruling that Punko and Potts should stand trial again.

The decision marks the third time that the high court has overturned a B.C. Supreme Court ruling in the Punko and Potts cases."

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