N.B. man makes first court appearance after 125 kg meth seizure on Ontario

A New Brunswick man police have described as a full-patch member of the Hells Angels made his first appearance in an Ontario court Thursday after a traffic stop led to the seizure of 125 kilograms of crystal meth.

Robin Moulton, 54, of Minto was arrested after a "traffic hazard complaint" in eastern Ontario in the early hours of March 27, according to an Ontario Provincial Police news release.

The release said Moulton was the only person in the vehicle.

At some point after his arrest and "as a result of the initial investigation," police executed a search warrant at a location not specified in the news release. Police said they seized about 125 kilograms of crystal meth, a prohibited firearm, suppressor, Canadian currency and a motor vehicle.

Moulton was charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle, possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of trafficking as well as with trafficking.

At a brief appearance in Ontario Court in Pembroke on Thursday, Moulton's lawyer T.J. Burke asked for more time before discussing bail.

"We want [the matter] remitted to regular court so that we can review the disclosure and act accordingly from that point on," Burke said.

The case was set over to April 18.

Moulton was convicted of drug trafficking offences in New Brunswick in 2018.

According to Parole Board of Canada decisions, police believe Moulton returned to his home province of New Brunswick in 2016 with the purpose of setting up a chapter for Hells Angels.

The Hells Angels have had a Nomads chapter in New Brunswick since 2016, as part of an eastern expansion for Canada's largest and most powerful outlaw motorcycle gang.

Moulton previously told the parole board that he saw the Hells Angels as more of a "social club" and noted that membership wasn't illegal.

He also told the board there was "no evidence of any connection" between his club and the crimes he committed in 2018.

The Ontario police news release did not mention a link between Moulton and the Hells Angels, nor was his membership discussed at the short hearing Thursday.