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Two high-ranking gang members arrested in Australia will be deported to New Zealand after a nationwide offensive against the Hells Angels.
A national joint operation, involving 28 police raids, resulted in 24 people charged, Western Australian police said.
Among the defendants were two New Zealanders, whose visas were canceled by the Australian Department of the Interior for reasons of character.
The couple are currently in detention, awaiting expulsion from the country.
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Police allegedly found firearms, ammunition, cash and drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, GHB, and steroids during raids that occurred earlier this week.
WA Police
Western Australian police raid Hells Angels location.
A drug lab and hydroponic facility were also allegedly located, police said.
Federal and New Zealand police and Border Force officers were part of the raids, along with colleagues from Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales.
“Outlaw motorcycle gangs use their chapter networks across the country and around the world to facilitate a variety of criminal activities, including those related to the illicit drug and firearms trade,” said Detective Superintendent. Washington Police Officer Tony Longhorn.
“By working together across national and international borders, we collect important intelligence to assist with targeted disruption activities and build our intelligence reserves to support current and future investigations.
“The Hells Angels Outlaw motorcycle gang in particular has a long history of violence and intimidation, and has strong ties to other serious and organized crime groups, not just in Australia but around the world through its chapters abroad.” .
WA Police
Australian federal K9 police search the home of an alleged potential Hells Angels client in WA.
Australian Federal Police National Anti-Gang Squad Acting Superintendent Superintendent Jason McArthur said that outlaw motorcycle gangs are violent and well-organized criminal networks that have no respect for the law and consider themselves by on top of it.
“They are not families or a ‘brotherhood’. The Hells Angels, like any other motorcycle gang, are trying to recruit new members and associates just to facilitate their criminal adventures and make money, “he said.
“As part of the Morpheus National Task Force, the AFP-led National Anti-Gang Brigade brings capabilities from the Commonwealth and international networks to help disrupt these high-risk gangs and protect the Australian community.”
The Morpheus National Task Force is a joint initiative of Australian and New Zealand law enforcement agencies and Australian Commonwealth agencies that focuses on crime associated with Outlaw MotorCycle Gangs (OMCG).
Club members and associates arrested during the raids face criminal charges that include firearms, drugs and alcohol related offenses.
