Police have seized drugs, guns and explosives during a week-long sting on alleged outlaw motorcycle gangs in Australia and New Zealand.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
From July 31 to August 6, police arrested 159 of the "highest threat" alleged gang members, seized 65 weapons, various types and quantities of drugs and $1 million in cash.
Outlaw motorcycle gangs are considered the largest organised crime group in Australia and New Zealand, police said.
They have a "propensity for violence" and links with international crime organisations trafficking drugs and weapons into Australia.
Taskforce Morpheus' "week of action" coordinated almost 2100 officers across the country searching 71 properties.
State and territory police pursued their own highest priority targets with New Zealand Police, Australian Federal Police (AFP), Border Force and Australia's intelligence and defence departments.
New South Wales
NSW Police joined with the AFP and Australian Tax Office to arrest the alleged chapter president of the Hells Angels in Parramatta on August 2.
His alleged associates were also arrested in the raids and 74 people were charged and 15 guns were seized.
Victoria
A 38-year-old Shepparton man was arrested on August 2 after police allegedly found two rifles, a shotgun, two air rifles, a gel blaster, a silencer, large amounts of ammunition, a crossbow and steroids.
Tasmania
Tasmania Police allegedly found a commercial quantity of drugs, two stolen cars, two replica guns, cash and a "significant amount" of stolen property at a 56-year-old Derwent Valley man's home.
Queensland
Police charged 68 people in Queensland with 144 offences across the "week of action".
Ammunition and 14 guns, four silencers and a cypher phone were seized by police during the raids across the state including Upper Caboolture and Narangba.
IN OTHER NEWS:
South Australia
South Australia Police found a "sophisticated" cannabis grow house and 30 kilograms of dry cannabis, 20 cannabis plants, $6,000 cash and weapons in Para Hills.
They arrested an alleged Comanchero member, who police suspect is involved in drug importation, on August 3.
Western Australia
Two suspected Hells Angels members were arrested in Perth after police allegedly found around $90,000 cash hidden in a bathroom cupboard on August 3.
Police searched a further 21 properties, arrested 14 other alleged gang members and seized four weapons.
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
