Hells Angels Leader Linked to ‘Ndrangheta Mafia and Illegal Betting Sites Killed
Craig “Truck” McIlquham, a 55-year-old member of the Hells Angels motorcycle club and criminal organization, was killed on April 29 near a restaurant in Burlington, Ontario.
Targeted Killing
Halton County police reported that the shooting occurred around 8:30 p.m. near a Chinese restaurant. McIlquham sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to a hospital, where he later died. Authorities believe the attack was planned and targeted.
Project “Hobart”: A Large-Scale Operation Against Illegal Betting
McIlquham became one of the key figures in a 2019 case as part of a joint Ontario police operation called “Project Hobart”.
More than 30 people were arrested during the investigation. Assets worth about 40 million Canadian dollars were seized, including:
- luxury real estate,
- vehicles,
- cash,
- precious metals,
- jewelry.
McIlquham and Robert Barletta — another Hells Angels member and founder of the London chapter — operated a network of illegal websites:
| Website | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Ultimate SB | Betting intake |
| Titan SB | Payment processing |
| PlaytoWin SB | Account management |
The network’s turnover from 2014 to 2019 was approximately US$95.6 million (around CAD 131 million).
According to police, the criminal network was involved not only in betting but also in money laundering, intimidation, and violent debt collection.
Criminal Case Collapse and Civil Lawsuits
In 2022, the criminal case against McIlquham and Barletta was dismissed because the process exceeded the 30-month limit set by Canadian law.
Nevertheless, Ontario authorities continue to pursue asset forfeiture through civil lawsuits under the Civil Remedies Act.
Connection to the ‘Ndrangheta Mafia
The investigation revealed close ties between the Hells Angels and the Italian ‘Ndrangheta mafia — one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world. The group controls up to 80% of the cocaine market in Europe and is heavily involved in international arms trafficking. Its annual revenue is estimated at between $50 billion and $100 billion.
In Canada, cooperation between the Hells Angels and the ‘Ndrangheta is most evident in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. While the organizations operate independently, they collaborate in areas of illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
Conclusion
The murder of Craig McIlquham is yet another confirmation of how deeply organized crime has infiltrated the shadow gambling industry.
Despite the dismissal of the criminal case, authorities continue to seek ways to combat criminal networks through civil litigation.