Bikie raid nets illegal cache
From: By Verity Edwards
September 22, 2005

POLICE raided the South Australian headquarters of the Gypsy Jokers bikie gang yesterday after neighbours reported explosions inside the fortified compound.

Armed officers from the state's bikie taskforce raided the Wingfield property - which is surrounded by 3m walls built of railway sleepers - and spent more than three hours searching the club rooms.
Inside they found a cache of fireworks, an illegal crossbow, a cigarette vending machine, cigarettes, alcohol dispensers, bottles of spirits and kegs of beer, 12 small cannabis plants, a small amount of dried cannabis, a small-calibre firearm and about $9000.

Inspector Graham Goodwin said the explosions were likely to have been caused by members letting off fireworks in the early hours of Friday, September 9.

"We did locate some large fireworks not commonly purchased or used by people," he said. "They are not the type you would normally buy in a shop for a small function or whatever. They were large and probably the type that you would see at a commercial presentation or function.

"It's always pleasing to take these items off the street so they can't pose any further harm to any other person."


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Police arrested a 36-year-old member of the Gypsy Jokers who had been living at the site.
The alcohol is believed to have been sold at the Gypsy Jokers' bar without a licence.

The Rann Government has tightened laws enabling police to crack down on bikie gangs, with Premier Mike Rann threatening to tear down the fortresses if laws were broken.

Inspector Goodwin said the raid was part of broader investigations into gang activities.

"We ... investigate all of these matters and take these matters very seriously," he said. "We'd be looking for any opportunity to investigate and take appropriate action against these motorcycle groups."

The Wingfield man will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on October 24.