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Australasian Biker News

Hills News
09 January 2008 - 1:06PM
Bikie drugs haul
By Col Allison

After lengthy surveillance, police claim to have smashed a bikie crime gang in the Hills and Hawkesbury areas allegedly responsible for the large-scale manufacturer of amphetamines. The drugs were distribution along the entire eastern seaboard of Australia.

Five members or associates of outlaw motorcycle gangs have been charged with drug offences following the joint operation in Sydney's North-West.

It follows a five-month investigation by the Australian Crime Commission and the NSW Police Forces State Crime Command Drug Squad of a semi-rural address at Annangrove raided on Wednesday morning where an alleged large-scale drug manufacturing laboratory was uncovered.

During the searches, police claim they located another suspected clandestine laboratory, chemicals and drug manufacturing equipment as well as more than $130,000 in cash, two shotguns, a handgun and a quantity of ammunition. A 43-year-old man was initially arrested but four others were arrested later at separate addresses from Winston

Hills to Vineyard.

As a result of yesterday's operation, police have charged four men, aged 50, 48, 27 and 57, with manufacturing a commercial quantity of prohibited drug and possessing precursor intended for manufacture/production. They were all refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court today.

The man, 43, has been charged with two counts of possessing a prohibited drug, possession of instructions for the manufacture of prohibited drugs and firearms offences, including possession of an unregistered firearm. He was conditionally bailed to appear in Parramatta Local Court on February 14.

- Full details, pictures in the Hills News next week

Bikie gang five in drugs bust

Jordan Baker
January 9, 2008 - 11:34AM

Police have arrested five bikies during a raid on a drug laboratory in Sydney's north west.

After a five-month investigation involving the Australian Crime Commission and the NSW Police Force's drug squad, officers raided several properties and believe they dismantled a criminal methylamphetamine syndicate.

Five men - aged 57, 50, 48, 43 and 27 - were charged with drug offences. All are alleged to be members or associates of different outlaw motorcycle groups.

Police they found a clandestine laboratory, drug manufacturing equipment and chemicals at Annangrove. Specialist drug squad detectives dismantled the laboratory.

During subsequent searches at other properties in the north west, police also found a second laboratory, as well as $130,000 and weapons.

NSW Police Force Drug Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Greig Newbery said the supply of illicit drugs would not be tolerated.

"We will allege that this operation has led to the dismantling of a criminal syndicate involved in the illicit drug trade," he said.

"The people charged are alleged to be members or associates of bikie gangs and yesterday's operation is part of this organisation's ongoing focus on OMCGs.

"We believe these arrests will significantly impact on the distribution and supply of methylamphetamine in Sydney and New South Wales."

Bikie gang boss granted bail on gun charges

Pia Akerman | January 09, 2008

THE president of a local chapter of the Adelaide Rebels bikie gang has been granted bail on gun charges, despite prosecutors warning he is likely to reoffend.

Guy Clift, 34, appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court yesterday charged with illegal possession of firearms.

Police arrested Mr Clift at his Flagstaff Hill home, south of the city, on Monday after allegedly finding two pistols and ammunition on the property.

The operation was part of a series of raids against Rebels bikie gang members. Five other men, including the state president, were also arrested on gun and drug offences.

Mr Clift's lawyer, Andrew Moffa, indicated his client, a self-employed personal trainer and father of three, would plead not guilty to the charges at a later court appearance.

Magistrate Simon Smart granted Mr Clift bail on the condition he live at home and report to police twice a week.

Two women guaranteed Mr Clift's bail compliance with a $2000 bond.

Prosecutor Juliet Sheppard opposed the bail application. She said police believed Mr Clift would reoffend if released.

She said the guns found at Mr Clift's home related to "unlawful activities", and were fully loaded and accessible.

Ms Sheppard also said Mr Clift had previously been given a suspended sentence for possessing body armour and a bayonet.

Mr Moffa said his client had an "exceptional history" of complying with bail, and there was nothing to distinguish him from the other Rebels members arrested in the raids who were all released on bail.

The state president of the outlaw motorcycle gang, who was not otherwise identified by police, will appear in Port Adelaide Magistrates Court next month charged with unlawful possession of firearm parts and ammunition.

Three other Rebels members were charged with illegal firearm possession on Monday.

Police also uncovered small amounts of ecstasy, amphetamines, cannabis and prescription drugs in the raids.

Mr Clift did not speak during the brief hearing except to say "Thank you very much, Your Honour" as he left thecourt.

The case is due in court again later this month.

Bikie leaders held in city gun, drug raids

By Pia Akerman

January 08, 2008 03:00am
Article from: The Australian

TWO Adelaide bikie gang leaders were arrested yesterday after South Australian police seized guns and drugs in raids across the city yesterday.

The state president of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang - not otherwise identified by police - was arrested for alleged unlawful possession of firearm parts and ammunition at his West Lakes home in Adelaide's northwestern suburbs.

The man was bailed to appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court next month.

The president of the Rebels' Southside chapter was also arrested after two pistols and ammunition were allegedly found at his home in Flagstaff Hill, south of the city.

Three other Rebels members were charged with illegal firearm possession. Police uncovered small amounts of ecstasy, amphetamines, cannabis and prescription drugs in the raids.

Detective Superintendent Des Bray, who leads the Crime Gang Task Force, said the the firearms were obviously well used.

"It's a real concern, and again confirms our suspicions that members of outlaw motorcycle groups are active and determined in their quest to acquire illegal firearms, to carry and resort to use of those weapons," he said.

He said a search of the Rebels' clubhouse did not reveal any firearms as gang members were believed to be keeping their weapons with them at all times.

Mr Bray foreshadowed further raids, saying police would be "very active".

He said the Adelaide raids yesterday were not linked to a high-profile surveillance operation in Western Australia, where police are monitoring about 100 members of the Gypsy Jokers club on their annual run.

About $17,000 in cash, believed to be of suspicious origin, was seized during the raids.

Warfare among bikie groups has escalated in recent months, with gunfights on the street a growing problem.

Four men linked to the Rebels were shot at the Adelaide nightclub Tonic in June after a fight with members of the Finks.

Police raided 25 bikie-related properties in October, uncovering firearms, cash and drugs.

The Rann Government last year stepped up moves against the bikies, announcing legislation in July to ban gangs from specific places and to limit gang members' association with each other. Displaying gang colours and insignia has been banned where public safety is deemed to be at risk.

Gypsy Jokers bikies drug-tested in WA

January 6, 2008 - 3:40PM

Five Gypsy Joker bikies allegedly tested positive to roadside drug tests as more than 100 club members began their annual run through Western Australia, police say.

About 110 Gypsy Jokers left their Maddington clubhouse, in south-east suburban Perth on Sunday morning, with police vowing to monitor every step of the bikies' journey.

Police spokesman Ian Hasleby, who is among police following the Gypsy Jokers, said five members were already facing possible drug charges from tests taken as club members prepared on Saturday for the ride.

"They were riding into their Maddington clubhouse yesterday and they were pulled over and five of them tested positive to a roadside drug test," he said.

"Those have been sent off for analysis and when that analysis comes back and confirms what we suspect, that they were in fact drug driving, they'll be issued with infringements."

Police also alleged confiscated a knife from one Gypsy Joker.

The bikies were in Toodyay, 85km north-east of Perth, around midday (WDT) Sunday.

"Our presence is there in a no-tolerance capacity. We're there to make sure the public is protected and the bikies, the Gypsy Jokers don't cause any trouble," Mr Hasleby said.

The Gypsy Jokers are currently fighting the West Australian government's anti-fortification laws.

The motorcycle gang is challenging an order issued in May 2004 to remove fortifications around their Maddington clubhouse, under the 2003 Corruption and Crime Commission Act.

The act says the police commissioner can use secret evidence to get a court order removing fortifications from bikie premises if he believes they are habitually used by people involved in organised crime.

In February last year, the bikies unsuccessfully appealed in the West Australian Court of Appeal on the grounds that it was constitutionally invalid.

In June, they won special leave to appeal that decision in the High Court.

Bikie gang hits road for recruits

05Jan08

THE Odin's Warriors outlaw motorcycle club will use a ride this weekend to recruit new members as the gang tries to expand and build a power base on the Gold Coast.

The Tweed Heads chapter of the bikie gang has taken the unusual step of advertising its 17th Annual Poker Run in newspapers across northern NSW and the Gold Coast, inviting all motorcycle riders to attend.

"It may well be for recruiting purposes," said Tweed-Byron police crime manager Inspector Greg Carey. "We are certainly aware of it and we're certainly going to monitor it."

The ride begins at 12pm today at the South Tweed Tavern and a party is planned at the end of the day.

Insp Carey said police had spoken with tavern management but did not expect trouble.

"Usually we have no trouble with them (Odin's Warriors) whatsoever," he said.

Figures released by NSW police last year show the Odin's Warriors are in desperate need of new recruits with only 10 members across the club's two NSW chapters.

The club also has five Queensland chapters in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Brisbane and Dalby.

"They're often referred to as Dad's Army," said a police officer, "so they probably need to go on a bit of a recruiting drive."

While they currently have a small presence on the Coast, Odin's Warriors have been know to erupt with deadly force.

In 1997, Mackay turned into a war zone as Odin's Warriors and the Outlaws clashed in a violent gun battle.

Close to 100 rounds were fired and six bikies injured in the intense fight on Barnes Creek Road in North Mackay.

In 1996, two men were shot and seriously injured at a Gold Coast bike show organised by Odin's Warriors.

The shootings occurred at the Tugun Rugby League Club.

But Australia's leading bikie gang expert, Monash University's Dr Arthur Veno, believes the club no longer poses a major threat.

"They are quite a minor club," said the former director of Monash's centre for police and justice studies.

"Basically you've got a bunch of guys that are 30 to 60 years old, who are somewhere down the ladder from the big clubs.

"At the worst they are a feeder club to the Rebels."

Dr Veno, who is the author of The Brotherhoods - inside the outlaw motorcycle gangs, said poker runs were a bikie tradition.

"The poker run is a simply biker event and there is no real danger in it," he said.

"Poker runs, cat shows and custom bike shows are the three means of visible income the clubs of that ilk have."

The move by the Odin's Warriors to advertise their run follows the Finks' attempt to recruit new members through the social networking website MySpace.

Finks member Darren James Watson, also known as Tama Lewis, created a MySpace page that glorifies the bikie lifestyle and has attracted a following, which concerns police.

On it, he says he earns $250,000 as a standover man and officers fear the web page could entice younger, vulnerable Gold Coasters to want to join the motorcycle gang.

Police seize weapons cache

Uncovered � firearms found on the property.

Paul Bibby
January 1, 2008

A WORLD WAR II machine-gun and tank mortar, crossbows, semi-automatic weapons and fireworks are among a cache of 380 unregistered firearms uncovered during a two-day search of a 100-hectare property at Peel, near Bathurst, police revealed yesterday.

As part of the operation, which involved more than 30 officers from several crime commands and special operations teams, police seized 604 guns from a dealership in Bathurst and suspended the owner's licence.

Police said it was the largest single haul of firearms in the region. The arsenal included butterfly knives, silencers, a semi-automatic shotgun, a machine-gun and ammunition.

The operation began after police went to a domestic dispute in Bathurst early last Thursday morning, involving the 59-year old owner of the dealership.

He is due to be questioned today and police say he will be asked about his connection to the property where the cache was found. The crime manager of Chifley Local Area Command, Detective Inspector Jason Puxty, said police were investigating links between the weapons and organised crime in the region, including outlaw motorcycle gangs. "It was a highly dangerous situation, with boxes of fireworks - and we're not talking sparklers - stored with old explosives and rounds of ammunition," he said.

"The obvious question is why does an individual have such a collection of unregistered firearms? And we are definitely not ruling out organised crime at this stage, including motorcycle gangs."

Australian Defence Force personnel were called in to detonate the tank mortar, believed to be about 60 years old, which was being stored in a disused mine shaft. "The weapons were being stored in a number of places across the property and concealed to varying degrees," Detective Inspector Puxty said.

He said a number of the items, including the machine gun and the tank mortar, appeared to be over 50 years old. "They appear to be military weapons from the Second World War-era."

He added: "It was a family blue that local officers attended on Thursday morning and thanks to some very good police work from those officers we were able to uncover this major stash."

Hells Angel granted bail after Darwin brawl

Australia - A Darwin magistrate's decision to deny a member of the Hells Angels bail has been reversed by a Supreme Court review.

James Scott Parnwell Knight is facing riot, weapons and violent conduct charges over a fight at the Darwin Airport Hotel involving at least eight people.

Magistrate Greg Cavanagh denied the 39-year-old bail on Christmas Eve, saying there was a high likelihood he would reoffend.

But Justice Stephen Southwood decided to give Mr Knight bail until he faces the charges in court in February.

Bikie charged after weapons found in stubby holders
Article from: AAP

December 28, 2007 11:00am

A PERTH bikie gang member faces weapons charges after a knife, knuckle dusters and a gun were allegedly found hidden in stubby holders on the floor of a car.

Police said they searched a Ford Falcon sedan in suburban Maddington yesterday afternoon and found the weapons stuffed into stubby holders on the floor.

During a search of a High Wycombe home, police then allegedly found cannabis and a smoking implement.

A 38-year-old High Wycombe man, who police said was a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang, has been charged with aggravated possession of an unlicensed firearm, unlawful possession of unlicensed ammunition and possessing a prohibited weapon.

He has also been charged with possessing a smoking implement and possessing cannabis and will appear in the Armadale Magistrates Court on January 2.

A 29-year-old Cannington man will be summonsed for possessing a controlled weapon.

Lone Wolf gets out after missing Xmas

Renee Redmond

27Dec07

ALLEGED kidnapper and torturer Benjamin James Dehnen missed out on spending Christmas with his family because they could not secure a $100,000 surety in time.

Mr Dehnen, a Lone Wolf motorcycle gang member, is charged over the kidnapping and torture of David Holmes at Currumbin in November.

Police allege Mr Holmes was tortured for several hours over a botched drug deal.

His left ear and both ear lobes were cut off near the Currumbin Rock Pools.

On Monday Mr Dehnen and another co-accused, Ray Kenneth Brookes, 30, of Pottsville, were granted bail on strict conditions.

Mr Brookes' bail was $50,000 and he walked from the Southport Watchhouse at 3pm on Christmas Eve.

But Mr Dehnen was in custody while his family organised a $100,000 surety.

Magistrate Ron Kilner said he doubled the surety for Mr Dehnen as police alleged his involvement was greater.

On Monday the court was told the prosecution's case against Mr Dehnen was much stronger. Police prosecutor Senior Constable Jeff Whittle said the victim had identified Mr Dehnen as a participant in the attack.

"The victim identified the defendant as being the participant who struck him across the face with a pool cue," he said.

Mr Kilner said evidence from co-accused Scott Holland was that he saw Mr Dehnen holding the pool cue up but stopped him from hitting the victim.

"He (Dehnen) was involved in the fracas. He's right up there participating in a meaningful way in the assault, according to Scott Holland," said Mr Kilner.

"He participated, he didn't get there and say he didn't want anything to do with it. He picks up a pool cue and says 'I'm going to have a go too'. The victim was not in a position to know who was hitting him."

Mr Kilner granted Mr Dehnen bail to live in Sydney, away from Lone Wolf members.

His conditions of bail include having no contact with Scott Holland, not associating with Lone Wolf motorcycle gang members and not entering Queensland unless to attend court.

Mr Dehnen will join three co-accused, Mr Brookes, Aaron Drew Scheers, 24, and James Desmond Murphy, 25, for a committal hearing in the Southport Magistrates Court on June 3.

All four men have been conjointly charged with kidnapping, torture, acts intended to maim and grievous bodily harm.

Gang members granted bail in torture case

TWO of five men charged with the abduction and torture of a man who had both his ears cut off have been granted bail in a Gold Coast court.

A 38-year-old man was bound with adhesive tape and had his ears severed after being abducted from his Currumbin home on November 3 and taken to nearby Springbrook National Park.

He was later found by picnickers.

The victim refused to assist police, but detectives from Queensland's motorcycle gang task force, Hydra, worked with the Australian Crime Commission and NSW police to investigate the abduction.

Five men were arrested over the abduction last Wednesday, four of whom are members of the Lone Wolves motorcycle gang.

Three of the gang members appeared in Southport Magistrates Court last week, where none applied for bail.

Ray Kenneth Brookes, 30, of Pottsville, and Benjamin James Dehnen, 31, of Kingscliff, today reappeared in the same court, where they were both granted bail on surety.

They have to surrender their passports and report to Gold Coast police three times a week.

They are charged with kidnapping, grievous bodily harm, torture and acts intended to cause maim or disfigure.

Dehnen, a tattooist, has also been charged with five drug-related offences.

The third man who appeared in court last week, Aaron Drew Scheers, 24, of Tweed Heads in northern NSW, will face a three-day committal hearing next year at Southport Magistrates Court. Scheers is alleged to have cut the man's ears off.

The two remaining men - aged 25 and 36 - are to be extradited from NSW to Queensland to also appear in Southport Magistrates Court

Five arrested over ear-cutter attack
Thursday, 20 December 2007

Police have charged several outlaw motorcycle club members believed to have turned on one of their own and cut his ears off in a brutal attack last month.

The 38-year-old Elanora man, who refused to co-operate with police, was found bleeding from the head by picnickers and swimmers near the Currumbin Rock Pools on November 3.

He was reportedly abducted from his home earlier that morning and police allege members of the Lone Wolf motorcycle club were responsible for his kidnap and torture.

Police allege he was badly beaten over several hours before his ears were severed.

Part of one ear was found by a ranger on a walking track in Springbrook National Park near Mt Cougal five days after the attack. An extensive search of the area by police earlier this month located the other ear.

The second ear was found with several other items, including silver electrical tape which police will allege was used to bind the victim's hands and feet.

The Australian Crime Commission began investigating links between the Lone Wolf club and the attack after the victim proved unhelpful.

Yesterday, officers from Queensland Police Service's outlaw motorcycle gang Taskforce Hydra, with the help of NSW police, arrested five men in connection with the alleged attack.

Police said four of the five men arrested were members of the Lone Wolf club while the fifth man was a nominee of the club and Coomicub member.

All men were charged with torture, kidnapping and grievous bodily harm with intent. They will appear in courts at Southport and in NSW.

The first man arrested was a 24-year-old who was attending Coolangatta police station for an unrelated reason.

He was detained and police executed a number of search warrants at homes in Tweed Heads, Pottsville, Kunghur and Tweed West as well as the Lone Wolf clubhouse in an industrial estate in Hayter Street, Currumbin Waters.

NSW police arrested a 25-year-old man while Queensland police detained two other men.

Bikies charged over kidnapping, torture

Police have charged five men over the abduction and torture of a man near Tweed Heads in northern New South Wales.

The five men allegedly abducted the 38-year-old from his Currumbin home on Queensland's Gold Coast in early November and tortured him in Springbrook National Park.

He was found with numerous serious injures and severed ears.

Police say four of the men charged are members of the Lone Wolfs outlaw bikie gang.

Rebel guilty: Sentence to be handed down in February

Tamworth

ONE of the men arrested in a major drug operation in Tamworth earlier this year may face a lengthy jail term after he pleaded guilty to serious drug charges yesterday.

David Lee Keen, who appeared in Tamworth Local Court yesterday afternoon, will be sentenced in the District Court on February 4, 2008, in Tamworth. The 26-year-old pleaded guilty on two counts of supplying a prohibited drug on an ongoing basis and three counts of supplying an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug.

The charges relate to MDMA and methamphetamine exchanges in March, April, May and June.

Solicitor acting for the Office of the Department of Public Prosecutions, Col Dalrymple, told the magistrate a number of the charges laid against Keen in the original indictment had been withdrawn.

Nine charges relating to the supply of an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug, supply an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug that is not cannabis and supply a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug were dismissed.

Mr Dalrymple told the court Keen faced further charges that would be considered under a 166 Certificate.

Keen was originally arrested and charged as part of Operation Caddie, a major police action, in Tamworth on June 14.

The operation had targeted the Tamworth chapter of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle club and was orchestrated by the Oxley Police Target Action Group.

Keen was arrested in the Southgate Shopping Centre car park and charged with 23 alleged offences.

He has remained in custody since his arrest.

As the court proceedings finished yesterday Keen smiled at relatives in the public gallery who held up a hand-written sign to communicate with him.

Keen�s legal representative Alexander Harmsdorf formally entered guilty pleas in relation to five of the charges.

�I am satisfied those pleas of guilty are appropriate in light of the brief of evidence before me,� Magistrate Swain said.

Keen did not apply for bail.

His co-accused, Aaron Paul Patrick Simmonds, 28, faced seven charges in the Tamworth Local Court yesterday.

Mr Harmstorf, also acting for Simmonds, sought an adjournment to February 6.

He indicated his client may wish to be committed for sentence on that day.

Simmonds is yet to enter a plea on any of his charges.

Simmonds is also under investigation by the court over his failure to complete a community service order.

Mr Harmstorf said Simmonds had detailed �health problems� in a NSW Supreme Court bail application which had also included �psychological reports�.

Mr Harmstorf said the Gosford Probation and Parole Office � the closest to where Simmonds is currently living under strict bail conditions � would receive copies of the reports.

A third man, Gavin John McElroy, 39, of Armidale was also in Tamworth Local Court yesterday in relation to related matters.

He has not entered a plea and is expected to return to Tamworth Local Court for reply on February 6.

Rebels bikies fined at Danny Green fight
Article from: AAP

AAP

December 17, 2007 01:30pm

POLICE have fined 11 members of the Rebels bikie gang for failing to leave boxer Danny Green's world title fight in Perth.
The Rebels were fined $200 each for being