Sunshine Coast police target bikie gangs, seize drugs and guns in raids
One of the alleged key players caught during a months-long police operation targeting bikie gangs attempting to infiltrate the Sunshine Coast has been identified. WATCH THE VIDEO.
Police & Courts
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Police have targeted bikie gangs trying to set up on the Sunshine Coast in a months-long covert operation that has resulted in more than 87 arrests and the seizure of drugs and guns.
For the first time, this publication can reveal details of Operation Victor Albatross.
The covert operation started in March after police reacted to intelligence that different bikie gangs were trying to set up on the Sunshine Coast.
The operation involved raids, in which 17 firearms and $247,000 worth of drugs were seized, along with more than 87 arrests and 350 charges.
More people were arrested during raids Wednesday morning, December 20. Charges are to be laid in the coming days.
The drugs seized included $184,000 of meth and $63,000 worth of cocaine, together with others seized during Wednesday morning raids.
From the start of the operation until December 15, police executed 69 search warrants and seized over $90,000 in cash.
Sunshine Coast Police will allege Daniel John Enchelmaier, 35, of Pelican Waters, is one of the main players from the bikie gang bust.
He was charged with one count of supplying dangerous drugs and one count of trafficking dangerous drugs.
He has been remanded in custody with his charges being mentioned at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on December 20.
He was again remanded in custody and set to appear at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on March 1, 2024.
It is understood he was an alleged member of the Bandidos bikie gang, as previously alleged by police before a Brisbane court this year.
He previously had alleged ties to the Logan chapter of the gang.
Dramatic footage from the raids and arrests was exclusively released to this publication.
Footage shows plain-clothed police kicking open a door and finding a man hiding in a cupboard.
It shows some people being handcuffed and officers uncovering guns and drugs.
Detective Acting Inspector for the Sunshine Coast, Scott Wiggins, told media there were multiple outlaw motorcycle gangs setting up throughout the region.
He said so far there had been 69 search warrants.
“This operation sends a clear message, that our community will not tolerate organised crime groups attempting to establish themselves here on the coast,” he said.
“And that any attempts to do so will be met with a significant police response.
Inspector Wiggins confirmed a lot of information was funnelled to police from the local community.
“Essentially advising us that a lot of clubs were moving from the south-east corner into the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“These members aren’t social motorcycle club riders. They are armed with firearms and they are involved in offences such as traffic and drugs.
“Their offending does incorporate threats and standover tactics.”
The police taskforce is ongoing, with the operation becoming a permanent fixture on the sunshine coast.
“The charge that really stands out at the moment is the trafficking of dangerous drugs. It seems to be the primary offending by these groups,” Inspector Wiggins said.
Police would not comment on which outlaw motorcycle clubs had been targeted, how many were involved, or how many had recently moved to the Sunshine Coast.
Sunshine Coast Detective Inspector Chris Toohey said although the raids had resulted in some “good seizures” the aim was to disrupt the bikie gangs’ criminal activity before they became ingrained in our community.
“The operation was covert in nature but our main methodology was to disrupt these members from gaining any territory in here and making it inhospitable for them to set up organised crime groups within the district,” Detective Inspector Toohey said.
“We had low tolerance for any level of crime, public order offences or anything that was really anti-social behaviour.
“The operation was to make the Sunshine Coast as inhospitable as we can for organised crime elements.”
The Sunshine Coast police gang squad remained active throughout the operation.
“We’ve had a couple of operations where the OMCGs (outlaw motorcycle gangs) have turned up for a scheduled event and we’ve made sure we’ve policed that,” Detective Inspector Toohey said.
The police officer said there were no known nightclub links to bikie gangs on the Sunshine Coast.
The Sunshine Coast tactical crime squad led the operation, which involved detectives from the Sunshine Coast criminal investigation branch.
The officers also partnered with the Brisbane-based Taskforce Maxima team.
Detective Inspector Toohey said the police gang squad would maintain its presence in the community.
“We want to make sure that no organised crime group gets a foothold on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“From my point of view, after seeing the effects in other areas, the Sunshine Coast community and police do not want that presence here.
“We’re proud on the Sunshine Coast of being the number one destination for Queenslanders to come and holiday.
“We promote and enjoy a family-oriented vacation here and we want to preserve that.”
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