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Weapons seized in police raids on bikie
gang
May 18, 2005 - 1:05PM
More than 200 police have seized cars and firearms in raids on properties linked
to a motorcycle gang.
Twelve men were arrested after police conducted 27 raids early today around
Hoppers Crossing in Melbourne's west, and the Mornington Peninsula towns of
Hastings and Rosebud.
The raids were on properties owned by or linked to the Outlaws motorcycle gang,
Inspector Brett Guerin said.
He said uniformed police and local detectives were joined by members of the
organised crime squad and the Special operations Group in the raids, which were
the culmination of a six-month operation on a string of car, boat and caravan
thefts.
SOG police had to smash their way into two heavily fortified clubhouses at
Hoppers Crossing and Hastings, Insp Guerin said.
"The SOG was confronted with a brick wall, and they smashed through the brick
wall," Insp Guerin told AAP.
He said police seized five cars, 12 firearms including several shotguns and a
pistol, a crossbow, a cache of ammunition, a balaclava, vehicle parts and a
small quantity of cannabis.
Cars, caravans and boats were seized in raids conducted in recent weeks at other
places.
Insp Guerin said stolen property worth more than $500,000 was recovered in the
raids.
"This was the arrest phase of the operation and it's the icing on the cake," he
said.
He said no one was injured in the operation.
"It went really smoothly, especially with the logistical challenge presented by
involving 200 people in the raids," Insp Guerin said.
"Operations are judged on how we minimise or avoid force. No person was injured,
including any of the suspects."
Police expect to charge the 12 men arrested with a range of theft, firearms and
drug offences. Further raids and arrests could follow, Insp Guerin said.
AAP
