A crackdown on bikies last week has uncovered a slew of guns, illegal weapons and drugs, and led to eleven arrests.
Gang Crime Squad officers have charged 11 people – including four locals – with 46 offences as part of a national joint operation to disrupt and dismantle criminal activity linked to Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCGs).
Among them was a 26-year-old Bandidos OMCG member from Harrisdale who was charged with Unlicensed Person Possess Firearm/Ammunition. His date in the Armadale Magistrates Court is set for September 24.
A 30-year-old Kelmscott man associated with the Bandidos OMCG was charged with possession of cocaine, cannabis and paraphernalia and will face court in Armadale on September 25.
A 31-year-old Canning Vale man was charged with possession of an illegal weapon, ‘Driver of a vehicle failed to comply with a direction to stop (circumstance of aggravation)’, ‘Reckless driving to escape pursuit by police’, and ‘Drove, caused or permitted a vehicle with a forged, replica or false plate to be driven on a road’. He will have his day in the Perth Magistrates Court on September 10.
And a 34-year-old Parkwood man (attached to the Lone Wolf OMCG) was charged with 2 counts of ‘Displayed insignia of an identified organisation in a public place’ and ten counts of ‘No authority to drive (disqualified from holding or obtaining)’, and will face court in Armadale on September 19.
Members, nominees and associates across all OMCGs in WA were targeted as part of Taskforce Morpheus.
Eight search warrants and two Firearm Prohibition Order searches last week resulted in the seizure of two firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, over $63,000 in cash and various quantities of drugs – including methylamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis and steroids.
Taskforce Morpheus disruption strategies extended to Casuarina Prison with a number of prison cell searches conducted on OMCG members and associates
On Tuesday, 6 August, officers from the Gang Crime Squad – in company with Casuarina prison officers – conducted 21 cell searches of OMCG members and associates in custody.
“We remain committed to our efforts to disrupt the criminal activities of outlaw motorcycle gang members and their associates. The Taskforce Morpheus results, combined with a number of recent seizures and arrests, demonstrate that commitment,” Gang Crime Squad Operations Manager Detective Senior Sergeant Todd White said.
“A recent search warrant at a home in Baldivis uncovered a trove of drugs, firearms and prohibited weapons that have now been removed from our streets.”
About 9.15pm on 31 July, officers from the Gang Crime Squad performed a routine traffic stop on a white Holden Commodore travelling southbound on the Kwinana Freeway.
During a search of the vehicle, it will be alleged officers located over 900 grams of methylamphetamine and $100,000 in cryovac bags.
A few hours later, officers from the Gang Crime Squad conducted a search warrant at an address in Baldivis.
Several items of interest were located during the search including cash, methylamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, steroids, prescription drugs, cannabis and heroin.
Also located were a number of weapons including a loaded taser, a throwing star, knuckle dusters, an extendable baton, a shotgun, a replica firearm, gun parts and ammunition.
A 22-year-old Baldivis woman and a 46-year-old Baldivis man were charged with a total of 30 offences.
“If you’re thinking of joining an outlaw motorcycle gang, if this lifestyle is appeals to you, I suggest you think again,” Detectives Senior Sergeant White said.
“You will be subject to a lifetime of visits from the Gang Crime Squad and it’s not often a friendly knock at the door.”
