(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW staff

"Project Rocker"

Motorcycle gang member sentenced to 4.5 years for drug trafficking

Jan 26, 2021 | 6:05 PM

One of three people arrested after police busted a Red Deer outlaw motorcycle gang for drug trafficking in 2019 will spend the next few years behind bars.

Joel Befus, 34, pleaded guilty in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench on Friday to possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison and a 10-year firearms prohibition upon his release. An additional count of possession for the purpose of trafficking and a count of conspiracy to traffic cocaine were withdrawn.

Casey Chapin, 34, and Bailey Chapin, 31, are due back in court to speak to their charges stemming from the case on May 3.

The trio was arrested and charged on April 30, 2019, after a two-year police investigation dubbed “Project Rocker” that culminated with the seizure of three kilograms of cocaine, 2.8 kilos of marijuana, a handgun, an SKS rifle, four vehicles and nearly $80,000 cash.

At the time, police said Casey Chapin and Befus were members of the Syndicate outlaw motorcycle club, a support group of the Hells Angels.

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