The Hells Angels are the best known and largest motorcycle club in the world. The Hells Angels have chapters in 24 countries. The Hells Angels claim to be a homy club made up out of people who love their bikes. Nothing more. Ofcourse that is not a lie. These people really love their motorcycles and love riding them. But how come then is it that Hells Angels from all over the world are arrested and convicted of crimes ranging from violence and drug dealing to murder. The Hells Angels say they can’t control what their members do but that they are not a crime group.

In The Netherlands (Holland) the Hells Angels have been active since the 1970s. The founder of the Dutch Hells Angels is Willem van Boxtel. He would remain on top of the Dutch motorcycle world until September 2004 when he was kicked out of the Hells Angels Holland, and left in "bad standing". 2004 was quite a year for the Hells Angels Holland. In February the dead bodies of three Hells Angels were found in a river in the Dutch province Limburg. They were part of the so called Nomads chapter. It would be the start of a very rough time for the Dutch Hells Angels.

2. HISTORY HELLS ANGELS HOLLAND

In the late 1950s there are several youth gangs active in Amsterdam. Between 1952 and 1958 youth crimes had risen with 22%. These youth gangs have violent clashes with each other and with the police. But in the late 1960s the youth gangs are replaced by the peace loving hippy culture. However one youth gang from East Amsterdam remained active. A group of 14 and 15 year old youths remained a problem for the neighborhood. These youths called their gang "Kreidler Ploeg Oost" (Kreidler Crew East). Kreidler Ploeg Oost is led by Willem van Boxtel. He is a born leader who can take punches and can dish them out as well. The boys compare themselves to Marlon Brando and Lee Marvin in the movie The Wild One. The boys also read a lot of motorcycle magazines. There they read about the Hells Angels. In 1969 the first Dutch Hells Angels are spotted at a Chopper weekend in Santpoort.

The Dutch Hells Angels immediately begin to enforce the strict rules of the American Hells Angels. New Angels must first serve at least three months as a "prospect" before they are initiated as a member. The Dutch Hells Angels repeatedly clash with rival motorcycle clubs because the rivals are wearing the Hells Angels’ "colors". The Hells Angels come out as victors each time. It is funny though, because the Dutch Hells Angels are not yet officially recognized by the American Hells Angels. The terror regime of the Hells Angels does not focus only on rival MC’s. In February 1973 the Hells Angels steal booze from a store. When the owner dares to protest 18 year old Willem van Boxtel knocks the man on the floor and kicks him. In March of 1973 the Hells Angels cause a massive fight at a high school party. Two teachers are beaten up and even the girls are thrown on the floor and kicked in the face. Some more incidents follow and eventually the police arrest 13 youths (ages between 18 and 20) for threatening one of the teachers. Willem van Boxtel is eventually sentenced to 12 weeks in prison of which 6 on probation.

After all this what does the Amsterdam government decide to do? They give the Hells Angels their own $85.000 clubhouse. The Angels are reluctant at first, they don’t like the location, but after several months they have moved in and name the clubhouse "Angel Place". Then there is the first contact with the American Hells Angels and in 1975 the Amsterdam Hells Angels become a hangaround club of the Hells Angels. In 1978 the Amsterdam Hells Angels get their colors and become an official Hells Angels chapter.

After the murder of crime boss Klaas Bruinsma in 1991 police chiefs from Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague discuss a new strategy to combat organized crime. They make a list of all groups active in the Randstad area, after this they decide to go after the Hells Angels. According to crime experts of the police the Amsterdam Hells Angels are involved on a large scale in the international drug-trade and arms-trade, extortion, taking over businesses using force and in protecting prostitutes and sex businesses in the Amsterdam Red Light District (De Wallen). The Amsterdam Angels, these experts said, also try to force (using violence and intimidation) other motorcycle clubs to help them with their criminal activities.

After one year investigators conclude that the Amsterdam Hells Angels are in close contact with other Dutch Hells Angels chapters. About the involvement of the Amsterdam Hells Angels in the international drug-trade they are not fully convinced. They found out that a limited few "full color" Hells Angels are involved, not only, in the distribution of narcotics in Amsterdam but also in the import and export of hash and cocaine (via Hells Angels in Canada, Brazil and Germany) and with the production of amphetamines and ecstacy in The Netherlands (Amsterdam) and Belgium. They also concluded that several Dutch and international drug groups had Hells Angels in their ranks or use Hells Angels’ services (transportation, stashing spots, garages, cafes). How much money the Hells Angels made from the drug-trade is guessing work but one thing is certain; Willem van Boxtel (Amsterdam president) did well. He owns two bars, a store, rents out houses and a house boat and has large shares in the motorcycle business.

Following chapters:

BACK TO THE GANGSTER STORIES SECTION
DISCUSS THE SUBJECT @ THE GANGSTERS INCORPORATED FORUM/MESSAGEBOARD
HOME