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A feared outlaw motorcycle gang is opening two new chapters as the club prepares Tassie ride

ONE of Australia’s most notorious bikie gangs is boosting its foothold in Tasmania with the opening of two more chapters, the Mercury can reveal.

Members of the Bandidos club will start arriving in Tasmania tomorrow ahead of their annual meeting and national ride next weekend in Devonport.

Police are concerned the gathering, which could involve up to 300 Bandidos and the club’s national president, is a “recruitment exercise”.

Those concerns would appear confirmed, with the Bandidos now seeking to open chapters in Hobart and Launceston.

“Tasmania Police is aware that the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang is seeking to establish hang-around chapters in both Launceston and Hobart,’’ Assistant Commissioner Glenn Frame said.

“Neither chapter has a clubhouse and the people … associated with the chapters are supporters of the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang, as opposed to members.”

It is understood the Hobart chapter is being set up by a Claremont man.

The Bandidos, notorious for bloody feuds with rival gangs, rose to infamy after the 1984 Father’s Day Massacre in Sydney in which seven people were killed.

The club has a worldwide presence and messages of congratulations on the new Hobart and Launceston chapters have been rolling in.

“Fat congratulations and big welcome to red & gold nation Prospect Chapter Hobart Tasmania / Australia! Love, loyalty And Respect,” a message from Bandidos Motorcycle Club Minetown Finland said on the club’s website.

The new chapters come after the Bandidos first set up in the state’s North-West last year.

Earlier this year the Bandidos Mersey River chapter, based in East Devonport, passed an initiation to become a fully fledged chapter.

Police have warned of potential conflict between Tasmanian outlaw motorcycle gangs as the Bandidos strengthen its presence here.

“As they start to push into the area of other outlaw motorcycle gangs, it could lead to an increase in violence,” Mr Frame said.

“We can’t guarantee that’s not going to happen.”

Police will closely monitor Bandidos members as they start arriving in Tasmania from tomorrow.

Mainland officers from the National Anti-Gang Squad are likely be to called in to assist local police, who are busy shitting themselves., ffs.

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