It will be alleged the three participants of the ‘Rebels’ Criminal Motorcycle Gang met at at Townsville gymnasium on two occasions.
Detectives executed search warrants at residences of the three participants this morning, locating photographs of two current serving QPS officers along with a handheld taser device, two telescopic batons, a quantity of ammunition, Rebels CMG paraphernalia and a quantity of drugs.
Detective Inspector Brendan Smith of Taskforce Maxima said: “It is highly concerning that photographs depicting two serving officers of Townsville District were located during the search of one of these premises.
The men have been charged with two counts of being participants in a criminal organisation and being knowingly present in a public place under Section 60A of the Criminal Code.
A 31-year-old Deeragun man who police will allege is a patched member of the Townsville Chapter of the Rebels Criminal Motorcycle Gang was also charged with three counts of possessing restricted items under the Weapons Act and one count of possessing instructions to cultivate dangerous drugs, possessing explosives (ammunition) and supplying a dangerous drug (relates to 1400 steroid tablets).
A 30-year-old Mount Low man who police will allege is the president of the Townsville Chapter of the Rebels Criminal Motorcycle Gang was only charged with the association offence.
A 30-year-old Mount Louisa man, who police will allege is a patched member of the Townsville Chapter of the Rebels Criminal Motorcycle Gang was also charged with possessing a dangerous drug.
“It is important to understand the new Queensland association legislation targets criminal gang members who meet and plan in public spaces. These criminal gangs meet in public places to avoid law enforcement strategies and this legislation disrupts their methods of operating.
“The criminal nature of these gangs is clearly reflected in material located during the warrant executions which demonstrates they conduct surveillance on serving police officers.
“We will be relentless in our efforts against these criminal gangs regardless of where they are operating in Queensland.
“These actions clearly reflect the QPS commitment to disrupting the criminal activities of these gangs, with the goal of driving them out of Queensland,” said Detective Inspector Brendan Smith.
The men will appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court today.