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Yandina 5 members face string of drug trafficking and weapons charges in new twist to bikie association arrests

 
Yandina 5 on drug, weapons charges

Michael Smith leaves Maroochydore court yesterday after appearing on charges including drug trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of weapons and unauthorised explosives. Picture:cou Andrew Seymour. Source: News Limited

Former Rebels member Mike Smith, with his stepson Scott Conley and son-in-law Joshua Carew.

Former Rebels member Mike Smith, with his stepson Scott Conley and son-in-law Joshua Carew. Source: Supplied

THREE members of the so-called Yandina Five, charged for sharing a beer at a pub, are facing a string of charges for other offences including drug trafficking and weapons offences.

The father of one of the members, Michael Smith, who recently resigned from the Rebels, is also charged with a long list of ­offences.

The group was arrested in December for breaking anti-association laws by drinking together at the Yandina Hotel on the Sunshine Coast.

Three of them - Steven Smith, 28, Paul Lansdowne, 57, and Joshua Carew, 30, - together have 12 trafficking and weapons charges predating the pub incident.

Paul Lansdowne, 57, pictured with supporter Jasmine Ross, faces charges of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of weapon...

Paul Lansdowne, 57, pictured with supporter Jasmine Ross, faces charges of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of weapons. Picture: Darren England. Source: News Limited

 

The remaining members of the Yandina Five, Scott Conley and Dan Whale, are not facing additional charges.

Only Michael Smith appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court yesterday for the committal mention. His son Steven is in custody and the other two were excused from attending.

Michael Smith was listed on charges including drug trafficking, fraud, unlawful possession of weapons and unauthorised explosives.

A 10th charge was added for having a shortened shotgun between July 24 and ­December 27 last year.

Steven Smith, a concrete renderer, and Paul Lansdowne, pizza shop owner, face two charges each including drug trafficking.

Joshua Carew, a pizza shop employee, faces eight charges including possession and trafficking of dangerous drugs, related to an alleged amphetamine ring.

Joshua Carew, with his wife Tracy who is Michael Smith's daughter, faces eight charges of possession and drug...

Joshua Carew, with his wife Tracy who is Michael Smith’s daughter, faces eight charges of possession and drug trafficking. Source: News Limited

 

A social media campaign to "Free the Yandina 5" was launched after supporters of the group said the five men were simply a pizza parlour owner, his employee, a renderer, a truck driver and an IT student catching up for a beer at a local pub.

Lawyers for the four alleged bikies yesterday sought a committal date, which was set down for ­May 9.

In a separate case, alleged Rebel Lorne Campbell who has twice been allowed to walk, faced ­another four charges relating to extortion, stealing, wilful damage and dangerous ­conduct of a weapon.

Campbell's committal was listed for March 3.

 

 

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