Police crack down on Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in Griffith
Griffith was the
gathering point for members of the Bandidos
outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) on the weekend,
which prompted police to conduct
a high-visibility operation to uphold community
safety.
Officers from
Murrumbidgee Police District and the Criminal
Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor conducted the
operation between Thursday and Sunday, as
members of the Bandidos OMCG made their way to
and from Griffith for the annual state meeting
and poker run.
The operation
included vehicle checks, targeted drug and
alcohol testing, and monitoring for anti-social
and criminal behaviour to minimise the impact of
the event on the community.
Police stopped 28
motorcycles and three cars, and issued 54
traffic infringement notices (TINs), searched 30
people/vehicles, laid eight charges for criminal
and traffic offences, and defected 16 vehicles
during the course of the operation.
In addition,
police issued dozens of consorting warnings.
Strike Force
Raptor also conducted four Firearms Prohibition
Order (FPO) searches at homes in the local area,
where they seized a variety of illicit weapons,
Bandidos colours for various ranks, and Bandidos
paraphernalia.
Following
consultation with police, senior members of the
Bandidos OMCG cancelled the planned events.
Murrumbidgee
Police District Crime Manager Detective
Inspector Tim Attwood said the operation was a
significant one for the local area.
“We will continue
targeting OMCG activity in the Murrumbidgee
through a combination of local and specialist
resources.
“OMCG members who
break the law, from traffic offences through to
the possession of illegal weapons and other
serious crimes, can expect to come to the
attention of police.
“The public
should not have to put up with their criminal
behaviour and we certainly won’t tolerate it.
“I would urge any
person who has information about the criminal
activities of OMCGs to come forward,” Detective
Inspector Attwood said.
Strike Force
Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts
proactive investigations and intelligence-based,
high-impact policing operations to prevent and
disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network
engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
Anyone with
information, including relevant photos and
videos, that may assist Strike Force Raptor can
report it directly to investigators via the
Strike Force Raptor online reporting
page or
call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information
provided to investigators will be treated in the
strictest of confidence.