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Hells Angels Leader Admits Drug Charge

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TIMES STAFF WRITER

The president of the Orange County Hells Angels’ chapter pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal drug-trafficking charges, admitting his role in an elaborate drug ring that smuggled methamphetamine in shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Howard Coones, a 45-year-old Garden Grove resident, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply and distribute ephedrine--the raw material used in the production of methamphetamine. Under terms of the plea agreement, Coones faces a likely eight- to 10-year prison term.

Coones is the 13th of 17 defendants to plead guilty in the case. Other co-conspirators include former Deputy Dist. Atty. Bryan Ray Kazarian, who pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge last month.

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The alleged ringleader, John David Ward, is scheduled to go on trial Oct. 3.

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