Far North police seize weapons and drugs in targeted bikie raid
Police targeting bikie gangs have arrested five people over drugs and weapons, with another wanted over claims he defrauded the Australian Taxation Office more than $600,000.
Cairns
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Police targeting bikie gangs have arrested five people over drugs and weapons, with another wanted over claims he defrauded the Australian Taxation Office more than $600,000.
Detectives from Far Northern Major and Organised Crime Squad, in conjunction with Taskforce Maxima and several Criminal Investigation Branches, have allegedly seized drugs and weapons during Operation Xray Pitcair.
Operation Xray Pitcair was launched in April 2025 to target members of Organised Motorcycle gangs – the Bandidos and Soldados.
On Saturday May 24, police executed nine search warrants in Cairns, Mena Creek and Townsville, allegedly locating a quantity of drugs including methylamphetamine, steroids, cannabis.
It will be further alleged during the searches police located several weapons including batons, a rifle magazine, a smoke grenade, and a quantity of ammunition.
A large amount of OMCG paraphernalia associated to the Bandidos was also seized.
An arrest warrant for a fifth man has been issued, after he allegedly defrauded the ATO of more than $600,000 between 2023 and 2024.
Officer in charge of the Major and Organised Crime Squad Far Northern Detective Senior Sergeant Brad Grace confirmed the man had fled overseas and efforts to locate him were ongoing.
“It’s alleged that the male person, who was a senior member of the Bandidos Cairns chapter, created two fixations business accounts and then he launched false ATO claims for GST,” Sergeant Grace said.
He said police were continuing to target motorcycle gangs across the Far North region.
“We will not tolerate any harm they bring to the community,” he said.
A 32-year-old Parramatta Park man was issued a drug diversion.
A 51-year-old Holloways Beach man was charged with one count each of possess dangerous drugs and possess drug utensils. He is due to appear before Cairns Magistrates Court on June 23.
A 20-year-old Manunda man was charged with possess dangerous drugs and is due before Cairns Magistrates Court on June 10.
A 51-year-old Mena Creek man was charged with two counts of possess explosives and one count of authority required to possess ammunition. He is due before Innisfail Magistrates Court on June 30.
It is understood the four men have been released on bail.
Investigations are continuing.
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