FAGS launched to fight bikies in Victoria
- News Limited
- October 30, 2013
Federal anti-gang squad 4:58
An investigator from the Australian Tax Office and five Australian Federal Police investigators will be embedded with Victoria Police organised crime specialists.
The newest curb on bikies comes after police yesterday served the state's first anti-fortification notice on a Melbourne Hells Angels chapter.
Premier Denis Napthine said today that no stone would be left unturned in pursuing illegal activity.
"We as a government put community safety as a top priority," he said.
Military joins police raids on bikies 2:29
"We as a government will tackle these outlaw motorcycle gangs."
He said federal officer would focus on the gangs' money making schemes in a bid to more effectively disrupt them.
Victoria's anti-gang squad will form part of the 71-member national anti-gang squad, which aims to tackle bikies across state borders.
While Customs and Border protection will ramp up its intelligence sharing with federal law enforcement agencies in a bid to stop outlaw motorcycle gangs smuggling in drugs and weapons.
The Hells Angels headquarters at Thomastown which has been subject to an anti-fortification order.
Extra surveillance teams and proceeds of crime investigators are expected to work with the squad.
Local detectives attended the Hells Angels' Nomads chapter clubhouse in Thomastown to hand over the anti-fortification notice late yesterday afternoon.
The chapter will have a month to challenge the order or be forced to tear down much of the property.
There is growing law enforcement interest in financially crippling outlaw bikie gangs, which are typically cashed up from criminal activities.
The raid on the Hells Angels was co-ordinated across Victoria.
Queensland's strike team, based on the Gold Coast, was launched earlier this month. A NSW team is due to start soon.
Teams are expected to receive extra support by surveillance The team was to have started in January but state and federal police have asked for immediate action.
Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the national team meant police would have smoother access to national intelligence files.
"By fast-tracking the Victorian Strike Team, the Victorian Police will have access to the specialist capabilities provided by federal agencies including the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Crime Commission and the Australian Taxation Office," he said.
Detail of the order against the Hells Angels' Thomastown clubhouse. Picture Ian Currie.
Mr Keenan added a task force will be announced for NSW soon.
Mr Keenan said the Federal Government would look into establishing federal anti-association laws.
The strike team will work alongside organised crime detectives and Victoria's anti-bikie Echo taskforce.
Mr Keenan and Dr Napthine launched the force in Melbourne this morning.
"We do not accept, and we will not have, outlaw motorcycle gangs involved in drugs and extortions and illegal activities in our great state of Victoria," Dr Napthine said.
"There is no place for outlaw motorcycle gangs here in Victoria."
Victoria police assistant commissioner Stephen Fontana said the access to nationwide intelligence would help his officers to more effectively target the organised gangs.