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WALOS!!! (what a load of shit.....)
OUTLAW motorcycle gangs involved in the drug trade pose the
biggest threat to society after terrorism, a police expert has
warned.
Superintendent Fred Gere, who has studied bikie gangs in several
countries, says they are like the new Mafia but are far deeper
entrenched in criminal operations, including global amphetamines
markets.
And they are becoming more business-like, cleverly using members
and contacts nationally and internationally to boost their
money-making activities.
The West Australian superintendent is a member of the
International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators Association.
He warns that some Australian law enforcement agencies might be
lulled into a false sense of security when the gangs are quiet.
"If you've got a clubhouse, you've got drug dealing,"
he said.
"There is no doubt in my mind that if you've got outlaw
motorcycle gangs in your town, your state, you've got criminal
activity.
"The reality that law enforcement, government and the
community needs to be aware of is when they're quiet, that's when
they're doing business – and doing real good business."
The outlaw bikies are known by police as "one per
centers".
"They see themselves as the one per cent of society who
don't have to abide by our rules and regulations," Supt Gere
said.
While not all members are criminals, he says a number have
significant criminal records and they drive the gangs' illegal
activities.
"You find a lot use their membership to enhance their drug
transactions – not only at a local or national level, but
also at an international level," Supt Gere said. "I
believe outlaw gangs of today are what the Mafia was in the '70s
and '80s."
Supt Gere is concerned by the recent expansion of some of the
outlaw gangs into new parts of the world, including Singapore and
Thailand.
Last month, police raids across three states, including
Queensland, allegedly smashed a multimillion-dollar amphetamines
production and distribution syndicate.
Police alleged members or close associates of five gangs –
the Outlaws, Rebels, Gypsy Jokers, Finks and Hells Angels –
were behind the drug network.
It involved about $22 million worth of amphetamines and $1
million worth of cannabis.
NSW gang squad Detective Superintendent Ken McKay said the
operation showed gangs were joining forces for drug-dealing and
production and some people in the trucking industry were involved
in distribution.
A father and son from central Queensland, both truck drivers,
were arrested during the operation, and properties on the Darling
Downs were searched.
An Australian Crime Commission report last year found that outlaw
motorcycle gangs dominated illicit drug production and
distribution networks across Queensland – the state where
most drug labs had been found.
And last year, Queensland Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson
admitted Queensland's bikie gang problem was
"significant" and they were recruiting and diversifying
their interests.
The Australian Illicit Drug Report 2001-02 found that outlaw
bikie gangs often paid others to produce amphetamines.
This comes as no surprise to Supt Gere.
He says the gangs are very much focused on building businesses
and forming partnerships with other organised crime or legitimate
businesses to further their profit-making.
"These people are now trying to locate legitimate businesses
where they can launder their illicit gains," he said.
"In Canada they are actually forming liaisons with street
gangs who are carrying out their dirty business, such as their
drug dealing and debt collecting."
Canadian gangs were controlling drug distribution by controlling
the doors of bars and nightclubs.
"And that's what they're getting into in Australia –
they're getting into the security business and they're getting
into the hotel business," Supt Gere said.
"Some of them are buying hotels. You can not only launder
the money from illicit gains but you can control all the drug
dealing as well."
Last year, South Australian police said up to 80 per cent of
Adelaide CBD licensed premises that employed security used
companies with links to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Supt Gere is also dismissive of motorcycle gangs involving
themselves in charity runs organised by legitimate bike
enthusiasts."I firmly believe that the majority of charity
runs are for them to show that for one day of the year they're
law-abiding citizens," he said.
Supt Gere says outlaw gangs are difficult to infiltrate.
Police, prosecutors and governments needed to become much smarter
about co-ordinating strategies to combat gang-related crime.
© Queensland Newspapers
