Knuckle duster, guns, steroids and piles of cash: Inside the police raids that netted a high-ranking Hells Angels bikie gang member - as four men are arrested and linked to a string of violent crimes
- Senior Hells Angels motorcycle member was one of four arrested during search
- Police carried out nine Firearms Prohibition Orders on the NSW South Coast
- Cash, steroids, knuckle dusters, ammunition and guns were found in the search
- Officers say they also uncovered evidence linked to a brutal home invasion
A senior member of the notorious Hells Angels motorcycle gang was one of four men arrested as part of a major police operation on the New South Wales South Coast, which seized guns, drugs and cash.
Wads of $50 notes, a homemade gun, an air rifle, another unregistered firearm, ammunition, steroids and knuckle dusters were uncovered at suburban homes in Sanctuary Point and Old Erowal Bay on Wednesday.
Men aged 32, 27, and two aged 24, were arrested and taken to Nowra Police Station by heavily-armed officers from the South Coast Police District and State Crime Command's Criminal Groups Squad.
Police are pictured carrying out searches on the New South Wales South Coast targeting 'criminal networks'
A heavily tattooed man is pictured on the footpath in handcuffs as two officers stand by
A man is pictured at the front door of a property as police move in to search the house
The officers were executing nine Firearms Prohibition Orders targeting 'criminal networks' in the Bay and Basin area.
'We are alleging these men have been the perpetrators of a number of violent crimes and incidents in recent months in the Bay and Basin area,' South Coast Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Scott Nelson, said.
The raids allegedly uncovered evidence linked to a number ongoing investigations including a home invasion in Basinview on May 3 which left a man in critical condition.
Police say the 32-year-old Sanctuary Point man is a senior figure within the Hells Angels.
A man is pictured against a tree being placed under arrest by police officers on the New South Wales South Coast
Two men have been placed under arrest by police and are detained on the porch of a property
A man is pictured being arrested by officers during the police operation carried out across Sanctuary Point and Old Erowal Bay
He was later charged with affray, armed with intent to commit indictable offence and possession of a prohibited drug.
The bikie was granted strict conditional bail and will face Nowra Local Court on July 27.
The 27-year-old Old Erowal Bay man was charged with outstanding domestic violence-related offences and refused bail.
He appeared in Wollongong Local Court today.
One of the 24-year-old from Old Erowal Bay was charged with affray, assault and possession of a prohibited drug.
A large sum of money was seized during the targeted police search on the New South Wales South Coast
Prohibited weapons including an unregistered firearm, a homemade gun and an air rifle were found in the raids
Knuckle dusters were seized during the targeted police search on the New South Wales South Coast
Police charged the second 24-year-old, also from Old Erowal Bay, with weapons and driving offences.
Both were granted bail and are set to appear before Nowra Local Court on July 27.
The investigations also led to two other men being stopped in a vehicle on Paradise Beach Road at about 11am.
Both occupants fled the scene but were detained shortly after.
Officers allegedly found ice in the vehicle.
A hand gun was seized during the targeted police search on the New South Wales South Coast
Investigators from the South Coast Police District were assisted by the State Crime Command's Criminal Groups Squad
The two men have been released pending further inquiries.
'We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in our South Coast community,' Detective Inspector Nelson said.
'We will continue to target those who choose to engage in this kind of criminal activity and rest assured they will face the full brunt of the law.
'I urge anyone who has information about this kind of behaviour to contact South Coast police or Crime Stoppers.'
All items seized during the operation will undergo forensic examination.