Participation (est.) Numerous police and foreign intelligence organizations identify the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club as a motorcycle gang, claiming that members engage in widespread violent crimes such as drug selling, trafficking in stolen items, gunrunning, extortion, and prostitution. The group's alleged involvement in the heroin trade led some law enforcement agencies to name it as a major supplier of drugs to local users. The Hells Angels' reputation for violence is based on its history of armed conflict with other motorcycle gangs and criminal organizations. Since its founding in California in 1951, the club has been involved in murders, assaults, kidnappings, and other crimes. It has also been linked to the deaths of several civilians who were not part of a rival gang. In addition to their involvement in crime, the Hells Angels have been accused of controlling most of Vancouver's illegal drug market during the 1970s and 1980s. According to some reports, they still control nearly all drug trafficking into Canada from Mexico through the United States border city of Oakland, California. The club's presence in every continent except Antarctica (where they did not become established until 1999) means that they can be found anywhere there are motorcycle clubs. This fact combined with their reputation for violence makes them extremely dangerous individuals when confronted by police officers or other gang members.