TWEED POLICE have carried out a series of property raids across the Tweed Shire in a coordinated crackdown on bikie gangs after recent violent acts were believed to be related to tension between rival clubs.
A member of the Tweed Heads chapter of the Lone Wolf Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) was charged in the cross-border operation on Thursday, July 6.
The raids were carried out by officers from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command under Strike Force Walenore with the assistance of the Gangs Squad’s Strike Force Raptor, Public Order Riot Squad, Queensland Police attached to Strike Force Maxima, and the Dog Unit.
The operations were designed to proactively target OMCGs in response to recent violent acts “believed to be related to tension between rival clubs,” police said in a joint media statement.
The raids were carried out at a unit in Tweed Heads and homes at Tweed Heads West, Urliup, Bogangar, and Kunghur, cannabis was located at the Tweed Heads West and Urliup properties.
As part of their ongoing strategies, police conducted searches for firearms, firearms parts, and ammunition at five properties of OMCG members subject to Firearm Prohibition Order’s (FPOs) yesterday (Thursday, July 6).
A 50-year-old man was arrested at Kunghur after allegedly hindering police searching his home in Kunghur.
He was also arrested for cultivation of prohibited plants, and possession of a prohibited weapon (knuckle dusters).
The man was taken to Tweed Heads Police Station and subsequently taken by ambulance to Tweed Heads Hospital suffering a medical condition. It’s expected he will be charged at a later date.
The raids come after several incidents believed to have involved bikie club members took place across the shire including a brawl at Seagulls and a shooting at Tweed Heads.
While police said the two matters were unrelated to bikie gang activity, Tweed/Byron Local Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Brendon Cullen, said police across the region will continue to work closely with Strike Force Raptor (Qld Police) to reduce the impact of outlaw motorcycle gangs activities.
“We will continue to conduct highly-visibility and high-impact operations like this to target and disrupt the activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs and their associates,” Det Insp Cullen said.
“The operation highlights how important it is for us to cooperate with other law-enforcement agencies, such as Queensland Police, to ensure members of these groups who break the law face serious ramifications.
“The safety of the community is our priority, and we will not tolerate public acts of violence – or any activity – that puts that safety at risk,” Det Insp Cullen said.
Strike Force Raptor was established by State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad in 2009. It is a proactive and high-impact operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs and any associated criminal enterprises.
Police also released a range of videos documenting the operation and raids:
