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Arrested Rebels face up to $50,000 fine, jail for wearing 'colours' in SA hotel

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Rebels Motor Cycle Gang vest
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Police seized 10 Rebels vests similar to this one during the raids and searches.

Supplied: NT Police
Rules that prohibit people from wearing gang colours in licensed venues in South Australia have been used by police to conduct raids and arrest 12 members of the Rebels bikie gang.

Police said 12 members of the outlaw motorcycle gang dressed in club vests or colours were among 30 Rebels seen at a Murray Mallee hotel east of Adelaide six weeks ago.

They were on their way to Tasmania for a gathering involving Rebels members from across Australia.

A local police officer found them there, approached them and moved the group on.

Serious and Organised Crime Branch police conducted raids across metropolitan Adelaide on Wednesday, resulting in the arrests and the seizure of 10 sets of colours and a Rebels T-shirt.

Amendments to South Australia's Liquor Licensing Act in 2015 made it an offence to wear anything associated with declared criminal organisations in licensed venues.

It can incur a maximum penalty of $25,000 for a first offence, $50,000 or six months' imprisonment for a second offence, or 18 months' imprisonment for third or subsequent offences.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Fitzgerald said gang violence in licensed premises had reduced in SA since the amendments were made.

"Since the introduction of tough new laws in 2015, it has made it illegal for them to wear their gang paraphernalia in our pubs, clubs and restaurants and made people in South Australia feel safe," he said.

"They know the laws and we made a point of reminding them before they left to travel to Tasmania."

The 12 men were charged with entering and remaining in a licensed premises while wearing a prohibited item and were bailed to appear in the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court at a later date.

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