Australasian Biker News
Never ending South Australian tirade continues.......
Bikie gang tentacles reaching into society
03Jul08
THE `poisonous tentacles' of outlaw bikie gangs are reaching into all
parts of society, the South Australian government says.
After presenting a submission to the federal parliamentary inquiry into
serious and organised crime, Police Minister Paul Holloway said it was
imperative governments devote extra resources to fighting the growing
threat from bikies.
Mr Holloway said bikies were involved in drug production and
distribution, murder, vice, fraud, blackmail, assaults, public disorder
and intimidation.
``Their connections with street gangs have simply enhanced their
criminal networking, allowing their poisonous tentacles to reach into
all parts of society,'' the minister said.
In its submission, the state government said it would continue to work
with police to ensure they had the resources to crack down on bikie
gangs.
Over the past year police in SA had seized more than 18,000 deals of
ecstasy and amphetamines, 24.5 kilograms of cannabis and arrested 230
offenders, the government said.
Mr Holloway has also taken a swipe at some submissions to the inquiry
which, he said, attempted to portray gang members as well-respected
public figures.
He said it was ``mind-boggling'' that some people would suggest that
bikie gangs provided important social networks and were responsible for
only a small amount of crime.