Comancheros boss Mick Murray walking from jail with a bounty on his head

COMANCHEROS bikie boss Mick Murray is expected to walk from jail within weeks. But the powerful figure has some formidable enemies — and things have changed on the outside while he’s been doing his time.

COMANCHEROS bikie boss Mick Murray is expected to walk from jail within weeks amid high-level fears for his safety.

Murray will be released as early as next month after a stretch living under the most stringent security arrangements available in the prison system.

A murder contract is believed to remain in place for Murray, the national president of the outlaw motorcycle gang.

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Murray has been kept in solitary confinement in prison. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Comanchero hierarchy in 2012: Mark Buddle, Mick Murray, Daux Ngukuru and Jay Malkoun.

Murray is a powerful figure in organised crime circles but has some formidable enemies.

He has been forced to engage private security at his home during a period of internal gang friction, including bad blood with ex-Comancheros boss Jay Malkoun.

The Comanchero landscape has changed dramatically since Murray went into prison in January this year for refusing to answer questions from the Office of the Chief Examiner about criminal activity.

Murray’s former right-hand man Robert Ale was left close to death after being shot in a tattoo parlour in February.

Former model Hasan Topal took charge during Murray’s absence.

Murray has been protected in jail.

Another associate, Samson Bazi, is now facing serious extortion charges and is on strict bail conditions.

Former senior New South Wales boss Mick Hawi was executed outside a Sydney gym in February

Two men charged with the Hawi murder reportedly met with a Comanchero days before the killing.

That man is linked to powerful gang figures said to be at odds with Murray.

Detectives from the anti-bike Echo Task Force believe Murray’s life is in danger.

During a County Court hearing earlier this year, Judge Peter Riordan said to Murray: “With respect to the threats and danger … you have been approached on approximately four occasions by members of the Echo task force who have advised you that ‘there was a threat to [your] safety, a bounty on [your] head and that [your] life is in danger’.”

The court heard that threatening handwritten letters were addressed to Murray in January this year.

Outside Nitro Gym in Hallam after a drive-by shooting in 2013.

The letters referred to Murray “as being an informer” and stated “you’re a dead man” and “we will kill your family”.

Murray subsequently hired a security guard for his family’s home.

The bikie boss was sentenced to eight months in prison on March 28, minus 63 days he had already served.

He is expected to be released from prison next month.

Victoria Police has made a concerted effort to dent the Comancheros in his absence, arresting some key members and associates over serious offences including armed robbery, drive-by shootings and extortion.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands a number of Comancheros have been hit with firearms protection orders since they were introduced in May.

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Originally published as Comancheros boss Mick Murray walking from jail with a bounty on his head