Police tell bikie gangs 'you're not welcome' in town

POLICE have served warning on outlaw motorcycle gangs that they are not welcome on the Coffs Coast today by raiding the clubhouses of the Rebels and Nomads motorcycle clubs.

Seizing alcohol, fridges and bars police allege that the bikie gangs have been running illegal activity out of two industrial sheds, one in Marcia St, Coffs Harbour which is the local headquarters of the Rebels and another in Hi-Tech Dr, Toormina run by the Nomads.

Officers from the Coffs Clarence and Northern Region commands, Strike Force Raptor and the police rescue and dog squad units stormed the premises armed with search warrants this morning.

They reportedly did not encounter any members of the outlaw motorcycle clubs.

Police said no arrests or charges had been made, but a warning had been served to members of these outlaw bikie gangs.

"We will allege that over a period of time those premises have been used for illegal activities," Coffs Clarence Local Area Commander Superintendent Mark Holahan said.

"It is in the legislation of the restricted premises act for us to gain search warrants and we are currently in the process of removing all the equipment that is associated with those illegal activities.

"Further we are working with council as police are saying those premises are being used for purposes not permitted and we are working to resolve those issues now.

"The message to outlaw motorcycle gangs is quite clearly this, there is no place for you in the Coffs Clarence Local Area Command.

Supt. Holahan said police had been made aware of the unauthorised sale of alcohol at the clubhouses and other illegal adult entertainment.

"Personally as a police officer I don't like them at all," Supt. Holahan said.

"I do not like outlaw motorcycle gangs. They do not exist for any other reason other than to cause havoc in the community and that's the clear message that we are sending today.

"One fuzzy ride a year where you collect toys and present them to a hospital does not make you a good citizen in the community.

"We will use every resource that we have and every power that we have to show your illegal activities and to close you down.

"Quite clearly the message to the people in the community that run these types of motorcycle gangs is make yourself known to us so that we can take the appropriate action."

Police say Coffs Harbour City Council has been called to inspect possible illegal modifications that have been made to the industrial sheds, such as installing sleeping quarters, showers and cooking facilities.

He said the clubhouses should be a reason of concern for neighbouring property owners, landlords and businesses given open fires where found inside one of the industrial sheds.