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Bikie alcohol licence may soon dry up

SEARCH WARRANT: Police outside the Tramps clubhouse in Frank Hayes Drive, Wangaratta, earlier this month.

SEARCH WARRANT: Police outside the Tramps clubhouse in Frank Hayes Drive, Wangaratta, earlier this month.

THE Tramps Motorcycle Club could be stripped of its liquor licence after a recent police raid on the bikie club’s headquarters.
 

​ Police will review the club’s licence after explosives, detonator cables, firearms, and chemicals and equipment to manufacture drugs were allegedly found at the Wangaratta clubhouse.

The Wangaratta Magistrates Court earlier this month heard alleged club president Ron Harding’s home had loaded shotguns, pen pistols, drug recipes and a large haul of drugs.

Police allegedly found a hydroponic setup, recipes to cook ice and MDMA, and drugs including cannabis, hash, ice, MDMA, LSD, ketamine, speed and erectile dysfunction pills.

Wangaratta Inspector David Ryan said the club’s licence would be reviewed but stressed that a determination had not been made.

“We will have to see what the outcome of any prosecution might reveal before we go down that track,” he said.

“But it definitely will be reviewed.”

Harding told the court he had shut the club two years ago after a police crackdown on members’ gun licences.

Inspector Ryan said he was not aware of any recent events being held at the club.

“But they have the capacity to still operate as a club; under their liquor licence, the supply of alcohol can still occur,” he said.

The review would be conducted to decide if the people named on their committee, and associates, are suitable persons - Inspector David Ryan

“The review would be conducted to decide if the people named on their committee, and associates, are suitable persons.

“If they are deemed not to be suitable persons regarding a liquor licence, we would seek to have them excluded.

“In due course we will review that, but that would be after the outcome of any court hearings.”

Michael Oxenham, who was one of the Tramps members who had his firearms licence confiscated in 2012, is listed as the liquor licence nominee.

Harding – who the court heard had an “unhealthy fascination with guns” – is facing 45 charges following the January 6 raids.

Police allege they found 14 car number plates buried in his backyard. 

His shed allegedly had a double barrel shotgun wrapped in a towel and a pump action shotgun loaded with six bullets. 

Mr Harding, who is on remand and will return to court on April 7, said a lot of the allegations were “not right”. 

He told the court he was a family man who worked for a mining company despite police alleging he was unemployed. 

“I think it’s pretty ordinary what goes on here,” he told the hearing.

Andrew Carter, 43, and Katrina Egeberg, 42, are also facing drugs charges after raids in Wodonga.

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