Bikies charged in drug raids
June 14, 2007 - 5:11PM
Six men, including two high-ranked members of the Rebels bikies, have been charged with serious drug offences after a series of raids in northern NSW today, police say.
Police say the men were charged with offences including on-going supply of prohibited drugs, possession of prohibited drugs and knowingly take part in the supply of prohibited drugs.
They said five of the six men will face Tamworth Local Court tomorrow. A 22-year-old man charged with goods in custody was released and will face court in August.
An estimated $40,000 cash and large quantities of ecstasy, amphetamines and cannabis were seized by police at five homes.
The Rebels were charged after being arrested today. The arrests, which involved 50 police officers, follow a six-month investigation, Operation Caddie, into the supply of ecstasy and amphetamines by the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang.
Police said a 26-year-old high-ranked member and a 27-year-old associate were arrested at a car park at 9.40am today.
They said a 42-year-old former member and a 49-year-old associate were arrested in simultaneous raids at their homes a short time later.
Just after 2pm, a second high-ranked bikie, 27, was arrested on a Tamworth Street, police said.
At 2.30pm, police arrested a 22-year-old associate at his home.
Tamworth Local Area Commander Superintendent, Tony Jefferson, said officers have been collecting evidence since last November.
"This has been a highly significant operation with today’s arrests effectively shutting down the Rebels’ drug activities in Tamworth."
State Crime Command Gangs Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Scott Whyte, said further investigations and monitoring of all Rebels members would continue.
As part of Operation Ranmore, which started last month, officers across the state would continue to target such gangs, particularly the Rebels, Bandidos, Comancheros and Nomads, he said.
"Since the announcement of Operation Ranmore there have been no further incidents of conflict between OMCGs [Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs]," Detective Superintendent Whyte said.
"Despite this, we will not relax our focus on bikies. We continue to work with Local Area Commands investigating criminal activities of OMCGs and maintaining very close monitoring of their members across NSW.
"In the past five weeks officers have attended more than 240 OMCG clubhouses and filed hundreds of intelligence reports on activities of members and associates.
"Our message is clear: Operation Ranmore will continue to target the supply of drugs and other illegal activities by OMCGs."
