Members of KTM gang arrested in a major Qld drug trafficking operation

Members of a Queensland gang that became embroiled in controversy over the shooting of a senior bikie during a drill rap video have been arrested in a major police operation.

Members of the notorious KTM gang which was embroiled in controversy over the shooting of a senior comanchero during a drill rap video have been arrested in a major drug trafficking operation by the Queensland police Service.

Twenty men allegedly linked to the gang were arrested across the southeast in major raids on Friday, with hauls of drugs, cash and cars seized by police.

Cocaine, meth, cannabis, large amounts of cash, four Mercedes and a Range Rover were seized and two meth labs dismantled after the year-long operation into the group.

The group KTM – also known as K12 and K-Town after the suburb Kuraby – has members involved in the drill rap scene and first came to prominence when music videos emerged online.

Members of the notorious KTM gang have been arrested. Picture: QLD Police

In a separate matter, The Courier-Mail revealed a bitter gang rivalry had exploded after senior Comanchero member Kyle Leofa was shot in his mouth in 2022 after approaching a group of people filming a KTM rap video in an Underwood car park.

On Friday, police raided 25 addresses as part of operation Whiskey Vogue with officers from Major Organised Crime Squads, Maxima, criminal investigation branches, dog squad and the Money Laundering Unit involved.

The 16 men arrested on Friday are each charged with drug trafficking (Serious Organised Crime circumstance of aggravation), with police alleging they were operating as part of a structured gang.

A car is taken away during the raid. Picture: QLD Police

A serious organised crime circumstance of aggravation conviction carries a mandatory seven year prison period, according to Queensland laws.

Four other men were also charged with other offences.

Acting Detective Superintendent Craig Bowman said police used a “wide range of investigative strategies” to target the group.

The year-long operation resulted in 41 people being charged on 268 drug trafficking, supply, possession and weapons offences.

“Today, following a protracted investigation, Detectives from Crime and Intelligence Command, supported by other policing units have decimated a well-established crime gang known for its history of public acts of violence, and large-scale drug trafficking,” Acting Superintendent Bowman said of the police allegations.

A screenshot of the raid. Picture: QLD Police

“This group has been a source of immense harm, and victimisation of our community. Their criminal activities have, without a doubt, exploited our most vulnerable with far reaching consequences including contributing to volume crime within our communities.

“The Organised Crime Gangs group is committed to using all of the specialist resources and capabilities afforded to us, to target these groups at their core and hold them accountable for misery they cause, and play our part in delivering safer communities.”

The raids took place in Kuraby, Hillcrest, Woodridge, Brisbane, Upper Mount Gravatt, Calamvale, Logan Reserve, Holland Park West, Woodridge, Underwood, Forest Lake, Algester and Doolandella.

The men are expected to appear in court on Saturday.

Twenty men linked to the gang were arrested. Picture: QLD Police

Picture: QLD Police

In 2022, Leofa was shot after he was in one of two vehicles that approached a group of about 20 people filming in the car park of a shopping strip.

He was taken to hospital with a significant wound to his face and throat.

Hanad Mohammed Mohammud, then aged 23, was charged with attempted murder over the incident. The Crown later dropped the charge in April 2023, with no evidence offered.

Rap videos attributed to KTM have clips showing men in balaclavas posing in front of luxury vehicles holding wads of cash. In one KTM-linked video a voiceover is played from a Brisbane television journalist reporting on the unrelated 2020 stabbing of a teen in the Queen St mall.

Vision from the raid. Picture: QLD Police

“Four young men who have been accused of attempted murder are right now out in public, released on bail under very strict conditions,” the report can be heard saying at the beginning of the video.

One of the videos included the voice of high-profile UK drill rapper Suspect.

Suspect, whose real name is Tariq Monteiro, was arrested in Kenya over the 2019 stabbing murder of 16-year-old Alex Smith in London. After being extradited back to the UK, he was convicted of murder in 2023 and sentenced to life in prison.