Hallam bikie shooting 0:51
A Victoria Police statement issued late Tuesday night said that Echo Taskforce detectives had seized weapons and arrested several outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) members after simultaneous warrants were executed across Melbourne.
"Police have so far seized seven firearms, explosives and detonators, cash and drugs as part of ongoing investigations into illegal debt collecting, drug activity and firearms incidents involving bikies," it said.
"Six men, all affiliated with the Comancheros and Hells Angels OMCGs, have been arrested at this stage and are assisting detectives with their investigations."
Police said that searches were also conducted at the Hells Angels clubhouse on Patrick Court in Seaford and at the Comancheros clubhouse in Melverton Drive in Hallam.
Police have arrested bikie members in relation to the recent rival attacks Picture: AAP/Julian Smith Source: Supplied
- A 33-year-old man with links to the Hells Angels OMCG was arrested at a McClelland Drive residential address in Frankston. Seven firearms were seized from this address.
- A 26-year-old man with links to the Hells Angels OMCG was arrested at a Sylvander Street residential address in Balwyn.
- A 26-year-old Cranbourne man, 27-year-old Mt Martha man, 26-year-old Glenroy man and a 30-year-old Dandenong North man, all with links to the Comancheros OMCG, were arrested.
Police also executed warrants in Roxburgh Park, Cranbourne and Gladstone Park.
The raids were conducted by a large number of police, including local detectives, members of the Special Operations Group, Operations Response Group, Public Order Response Team and the Critical Incident Response Team.
Yesterday, police, led by Echo Taskforce investigators, made several arrests involving both clubs following the Angels' attacks on Comanchero state president Mick Murray's Nitro gym in Hallam and Nitro Ink tattoo parlour in Dandenong.
Charges are yet to be laid, but guns have been seized during yesterday's raids, although an AK47 used in the Hells Angels attack is yet to be found.
An out of sessions hearing was expected last night.
Nitro Gym in Hallam was peppered with bullets. Source: HeraldSun
The Herald Sun can reveal the Hells Angels (Seaford) unleashed its military-style arsenal and attempted to firebomb the gym on Monday morning in retaliation over beatings dealt out to their members.
It is believed several Seaford Angels were "badly bashed'' by the Comancheros at the weekend. The motivation for the bashings remains unclear.
Several bikie figures are being questioned at the St Kilda Road Police Complex while raids are ongoing.
After the attack on Murray's businesses, a retaliation was ordered on the Seaford chapter with 17 rounds blasted into the Patrick Crt warehouse overnight.
Police have made arrests amid fears bikie tensions could escalate. Source: HeraldSun
Murray, who took over the Comanchero state president role from Jay Malkoun in July, isconsidered a smart but fearless bikie who is well connected in Melbourne's underworld. It also believed the Comancheros have rejected peace talks with the Angels following the latest spate of tit-for-tat attacks.
The escalating war, however, is not thought to be linked to the shooting of Comanchero Williamstown chapter president Faafatia Faaloia on the Mornington Peninsula. Police believe Mr Faaloia was shot in the back over an unrelated dispute, possibly connected to debt collection.
Mr Faaloia walked into the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Sunday afternoon but has refused to co-operate with police.
The force, however, is worried a bikie member will be killed and a bystander or police officer could also die in the crossfire.