KBS and 051 youth gang members recruited as part of Comanchero and Hells Angels drug trafficking operations

Young members from the local Killa Block Squad and 051 gangs are being recruited to help traffic drugs here and interstate for the Comanchero and Hells Angels.

Bikies have recruited youth gang members of African descent to work as foot soldiers in their drug trafficking operations, with the state government “actively exploring” how to crack down on the young criminals.

The Advertiser can reveal the Comanchero and the Hells Angels have enlisted youth gangs Killa Block Squad, known as KBS, and 051 to help traffic drugs amid Adelaide’s escalating war involving people of African descent.

The youth gang members, who have been involved in a violent conflict for more than two years, are acting as foot soldiers to carry out street-level tasks, including drug dealing, for the outlaw motorcycle gangs.

The Comanchero, Australia’s most powerful bikie gang, is a major player in the Australian drug market.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the state government was “actively exploring” measures to disrupt criminal organisations.

Youth gang members are working as foot soldiers for the Comanchero and Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gangs as part of their drug trafficking operations. Picture: Supplied

“South Australia has some of the most effective laws in the country to deal with organised crime, and we are keen to ensure these laws remain strong and effective,” Mr Maher told The Advertiser.

“Just last year, the state government moved swiftly to legislate to disrupt the activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs.

“The state government is actively exploring what additional measures can be taken to disrupt criminal groups.”

In 2022, police began investigating if the Serious and Organised Crime Control Act used to disrupt bikie gangs could be used to thwart youth gangs’ criminal activities.

However, initial investigations suggested invoking elements of the Act could be problematic because of the lack of formal structure within the youth gangs.

The Comanchero, Australia’s most powerful bikie gang, has recruited youth gang members of African descent to work as foot soldiers in their drug trafficking operations. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Crosling

Under the provisions of the Act, a gang must be a declared criminal organisation before its members can be banned from associating with each other but 051 and KBS have not yet been classed as such.

“This is a complex, highly litigated area of the law where any changes must be carefully formulated,” Mr Maher said.

“We will continue to work closely with SA Police in developing any amendments.

“Thugs who choose to participate in organised crime should know that SA Police and the state government are working together tirelessly to put an end to their operations.”

An SA Police spokeswoman said police were “always exploring and engaging with stakeholders in regards to legislative reform to keep South Australians safe”.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the state government was “actively exploring” additional measures to crack down on youth gangs. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

The spokeswoman said police were aware of associations between youth gangs and bikies.

“SA Police continues to monitor criminal associations and respond to any threats posed to the community,” the spokeswoman said.

The young criminals’ association with bikies mirrors activity interstate, where Melbourne youth gang Blood Drill Killers, known as BDK, and Brisbane youth gang Swish Bound Gorillas are believed to be linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs.

The three youth gangs are all closely linked, with 051 enlisting BDK to take part in Adelaide’s gang war when several members travelled from Melbourne ahead of the 2022 Anzac Day murder of 25-year-old Victorian gang member Ngor Bol, who was closely associated with KBS.

Melbourne youth gangs are also closely linked to Middle Eastern organised crime groups.

Last month, The Advertiser revealed Operation Meld detectives had seized a 3D-printed gun and 3D printing equipment from the Davoren Park home of an 18-year-old KBS member.

Since March last year, Operation Meld detectives have seized 14 guns.

It can also be revealed Adelaide youth gang members have fraudulently claimed hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Australian Taxation Office under a GST refund scheme to fund their own drug trafficking operations, centred around the importation of methamphetamine and cocaine.

Youth gang members have fraudulently claimed hundreds of thousands of dollars under a GST refund scheme. Picture: Supplied

The fraud, investigated by the ATO’s Operation Protego, involves gang members creating a fake business and Australian Business Number under false identities and lodging business activity statements to gain a GST refund.

One individual, a 051 member, is believed to have claimed more than $350,000 alone under several different identities.

The funds are also believed to be used to source weapons and purchase the luxury designer clothing items and accessories youth gang members are often photographed wearing.

Gangs 051, BDK and Swish Bound Gorillas are all suspected of engaging in the significant fraud, which is believed to total millions of dollars across the country between the groups.

An ATO spokeswoman declined to comment on the gangs’ fraud due to operational sensitivities.

“The ATO has taken action against more than 57,000 perpetrators and continues to hold to account those people who chose to get involved, implementing a range of appropriate consequences,” she said.

“This fraud is not victimless and those who engage in this type of activity are stealing funds that would otherwise be used for essential community services.”