July 6, 2005
FIVE machine-guns have been seized from motorcycle gang-related properties
across Melbourne over the past six weeks.
Police have staged a series of raids on motorcycle club houses and private
homes, with the latest occurring in the suburb of Yarraville at 9am (AEST)
and just after midday today.
Using warrants, officers from Victoria Police's organised crime squad first
entered a home in Geelong Rd and this was followed by a raid on "The Bros"
biker gang's clubhouse, in Campbell St.
Two men were arrested during the raids, and they were being interviewed by
police last night in relation to possible gun charges.
A police spokesman said the raid on the home netted two revolvers and two
machine-guns, while two shotguns were uncovered in the clubhouse.
Two arrested after bikie gang club
bust
Two people have been arrested after a Victorian police raid on a bikie gang
club room at Yarraville in Melbourne's west today.
Detectives seized 11 firearms
including two machine guns, cannabis, alcohol and cash at the clubroom and a
home.
Two men aged 43 and 28 are expected to
be charged with a number of offences.
Acting Assistant Commissioner for
Crime Terry Purton says the weapons suggest that trouble was brewing with
other motorcycle groups.
"We are very concerned at the moment
in relation to the weaponry that is in the hands of these motorcycle clubs
and we're doing everything we can to remove these weapons from society," he
said.
Police fear bikie war may be brewing
Paul Anderson
07jul05
POLICE believe they may have prevented a violent power struggle
between a lesser-known motorcycle gang and its stronger rivals after
they seized machineguns, shotguns and revolvers.
Organised crime squad detectives raided a home and The Bros gang
clubhouse in Yarraville yesterday, where they found 11 weapons, some
loaded and ready to be used.
Two loaded shotguns were found in a coffin at the clubhouse. The
weapons seized at the home, also in Yarraville, included two
high-powered machineguns. Ammunition, drugs and a medieval-style
ball-and-chain were seized.
Police have now seized five machineguns in motorcycle gang raids in
the past six weeks.
Acting assistant police commissioner Terry Purton confirmed last
night the uncovered arsenal was disturbing.
"We're very surprised at the firepower. It would tend to suggest
that trouble may have been anticipated with other groups," Mr Purton
said.
Police, conducting Operation Mope, raided The Bros gang three years
ago over links to amphetamine production.
One handgun, a semi-automatic pistol, was found during that
operation.
It was a different story yesterday. "For The Bros guys to be in
possession of that type of firepower, there must have been something
looming," a police source said last night. "They were never in
possession of that firepower three years ago."
Yesterday's operation began with the arrest of a Bros member in
Yarraville.
A subsequent raid on a Geelong Rd house uncovered nine guns,
including an Owen sub-machinegun and an SKR-27.
Mr Purton said police had found a loaded revolver in the main
bedroom next to a bed. Another eight firearms had been found
elsewhere in the house. At The Bros clubhouse in Campbell St two
shotguns -- one a pump-action -- were found in the coffin.
"Victoria Police is very concerned in relation to the weaponry in
the hands of some of these motorcycle clubs and we're doing
everything we can to make sure we remove these firearms from
society," Mr Purton said.
"I think the operation has been extremely successful because we've
taken 11 illegal firearms out of circulation.
"We're sending a very clear message to (some motorcycle club)
members who want to engage in this sort of criminal activity to be
wary that they may be receiving a visit from us very shortly."
The police source said The Bros gang was rated under other more
powerful gangs.
Detectives last night were questioning two Bros gang members, aged
28 and 43.
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