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Bouncers linked to Kizon, Mercanti
LUKE ELIOT and SEAN COWAN
The security firm charged with screening for weapons at the popular Perth
nightclub where gangland violence erupted at the weekend is run by the brother
of John Kizon's close friend and shares an office building with the brother of
Coffin Cheater Troy Mercanti.
Company records show Triden International Security which provides bouncers for
Metro City is owned by Marc Quaid, whose brother Fabian has a long association
with Mr Kizon and Mr Mercanti.
Triden and Mr Mercanti's brother Michael James Mercanti, who heads the pub band
Slim Jim & the Fatts, share an office with Metro City in Milligan Street.
The close ties between the security firm and Mr Kizon and Mr Mercanti emerged as
Deputy Police Commissioner Tim Atherton confirmed that detectives were
investigating the role of Triden staff in Sunday morning's violence.
Mr Mercanti received several stab wounds to his neck and chest and Scorpion Boys
gang associate Nabil Dabag was shot in his legs in the first violent clash
beneath Metro City about 1.30am.
About thirty minutes later, a Port Hedland Coffin Cheaters gang member allegedly
fired a handgun into the ceiling of Subiaco's Red Sea nightclub after bikies
clashed with the Cannington based Sword Boys.
Despite the fresh evidence that Perth's popular nightlife spots are under siege
from gang warfare, Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan refused to take
questions on the matter or explain what police planned to do about the threat.
Mr O'Callaghan went to ground yesterday, leaving Mr Atherton to claim police had
the problem under control.
"I've heard some discussion today that the bikie war is on again and the streets
are out of control," Mr Atherton said. "That's not the situation.
"While there has been a regrettable incident over the weekend, police are very
aware of the background to it and rest assured there are a number of ongoing
investigations . . . targeting these groups."
Detectives raided the Cloverdale headquarters of the Club Deroes in search of a
gun allegedly used in a shooting 10 days earlier.
Police Minister Michelle Roberts said she was looking at ways of linking the use
of metal detectors to liquor licences.
