Police reveal which gangs, organised criminals are at war
Mongols, Comancheros and Hells Angels bikies — along with some of Adelaide’s key organised crime figures — are at the centre of Adelaide’s violent bikie wars.
Members and former members of up to three outlaw bikie gangs who are in conflict are at the centre of the six violent incidents that have erupted across the suburbs over the past fortnight.
Senior police have revealed former Mongols members and elements of the Comancheros and the Hells Angels have been involved in the firebombing and shooting incidents as their feuds spilled into the public arena.
Other players are some of Adelaide’s major organised crime figures, including one who had his $350,000 Mercedes-Benz AMG sports car vandalised at Kent Town last August.
The man is linked to the gym at Marleston that was firebombed and sprayed with gunfire last Friday.
The “tit-for-tat” incidents revolve around a “substantial’’ unpaid drug debt individuals linked to the Hells Angels owe to a crime figure, and other individual gang members attempting to assert their authority within the organised crime community.
Acting Assistant Commissioner (Crime) Tom Osborn said detectives had numerous persons of interest, who were under close scrutiny, in the ongoing investigations.
“It is more individuals on individuals, rather than the gangs themselves and the allegiances of those involved appears to be constantly changing,’’ he said.
“It is related to drugs but also the changing power balance in this area and the transition of individuals between these groups. It has been running for some time and involves the same players.
“They change allegiances regularly. One week they can be associated with one group, they will have a falling out and the next week they are arch-enemies and there are reprisals.
“Our intelligence in this area is constantly changing because of the nature of these individuals and their activities.’’
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Hundreds of police yesterday raided 28 properties across the suburbs as part of the investigation into the six incidents, while Correctional Services searched the Adelaide Remand Centre cells of several outlaw motorcycle gang members.
Each of the 28 properties were occupied by current or former gang members or other individuals who are subject to Firearms Prohibition Orders.
The majority were also members of declared criminal organisations.
Mr Osborn said the raids, conducted under SA Police’s Operation Vanguard OMCG strategy, were the first phase of a crackdown on those behind the incidents. The raids uncovered a firearm, ammunition and drugs.
“This is just the first day of our offensive against those involved in this, we will not tolerate this type of crime,’’ he said.
“We have persons of interest who will be intensely targeted.’’
He said “a handful’’ of individuals were involved who were “creating absolute peril for the community”.
“The message to these OMCG members is that police will not stop until we bring those responsible to justice,’’ he said.
“They should look over their shoulders because we will hunt them down, we will not stand aside and let this happen.’’
One of those persons of interest is former Mongol Pero Mileusnic, who was arrested at the West Lakes house that came under gunfire early yesterday.
He has been charged with breaching his home detention order. In 2017, he was shot in the ankle by Hells Angels associates at his St Clair home.
Others involved in the six incidents are well known to police for their involvement in organised crime and methamphetamine trafficking syndicates in SA.
Mr Osborn said the arrest yesterday of a third person in connection with an incident in which shots were fired into a Ferryden Park house seven months ago was “clear evidence’’ of the police determination to apprehend those responsible for such incidents.
“These investigations can take considerable time and we do not give up easily,’’ he said.
Mr Osborn said while the six incidents had happened since five Hells Angels were arrested on August 2 in connection with the 2012 murder of Jason De Ieso, the genesis of the friction between individuals predates this.
He said detectives first received information three months ago that a large drug debt was owed by individuals associated with the Hells Angels.
“Some of those people are no long-er associated with the Hells Angels and are in conflict with the others,’’ he said.
“But it was a substantial drug debt, initially.’’
Mr Osborn said the shifting power base among the individuals since the August 2 arrests was also likely to have been a contributing factor in some of the violence.
“Some people are now in custody on remand, so people take opportunities when they are not in a position to respond,” he said.
He said a part of the operation would be assessing intelligence that indicated numerous Mongols members were forging links with the Comancheros but this was as yet unsubstantiated.
Detectives are seeking a silver Holden Captiva that has not yet been recovered in connection with yesterday’s shooting incident at West Lakes.
Mr Osborn said while it was traditionally difficult for detectives to obtain information from those involved in such activity, he urged anyone on the periphery to come forward and assist police.
“It is fortunate that nobody has been seriously injured or even killed in this violence,’’ he said.
“I would urge those in this position to contact us because we will eventually locate you.’’
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.