Top state cop warns Gold Coast on verge of bikie turf war

UPDATE: A bikie turf war is set to erupt on the Gold Coast if gang laws are watered down, one of the state’s most senior police officers has warned.

A BIKIE turf war is set to erupt on the Gold Coast if gang laws are watered down, one of the state’s most senior police officers has warned.

Superintendent Jim Keogh, the ex-top anti-bikie cop on the Gold Coast, said three high-profile gangs were waiting to reclaim their patch.

“It is important to remember the way things were, it was mayhem on the streets, the tough laws were what had to happen,” he said.

Superintendent Keogh, now South Brisbane District’s officer-in-charge of crime services, said the Gold Coast could quickly become the scene of a turf war between the Finks, Mongols and the Hells Angels.

“Surfers Paradise was ­always the Finks’ turf, but they’re going to face a fight for it if the bikies return to the Coast,” he said.

The Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Bill and associated laws forced gangs into hiding.

A taskforce — headed by former Supreme Court judge Alan Wilson — established to review the laws is expected to recommend they be overhauled when it hands down its report tomorrow.

The review has been in the pipeline for several months and in that time bikies have been seen slowly creeping their way back.

Superintendent Jim Keogh: ‘It is important to remember the way things were’. FILE PIC.

A looming turf war was evident when two Finks ­bikies attacked a Hells Angel with baseball bats in front of shocked patrons at a Varsity Lakes cafe in December.

And again, when a Hells Angels member and a ­Mongol were involved in a punch-up at Robina Town Centre that same month.

Senior police have revealed the Black Uhlans’ clubhouse at West Burleigh and the Lone Wolves clubhouse at Currumbin Waters are the only two left on the Gold Coast.

International gangs Satu­darah from the Netherlands and the Mongrel Mob from New Zealand are also expected to make their presence known, as they fight for a geographical foothold.

Retired Justice Wilson is due to hand his report to Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath tomorrow; however, the report is not expected to be made public before Monday’s Cabinet meeting.

There is speculation that Justice Wilson could also recommend laws designed to remove bikies and their ­associates from certain industries , such as construction and security.

Ms D’Ath has reinforced the Government’s pledge to have “zero tolerance” against organised crime including bikie gangs ahead of the release of a review into the state’s bikie laws.

Ms D’Ath confirmed Retired Justice Alan Wilson’s report on the laws will go to Cabinet next week before it will be released along with the Government’s response, as revealed by The Courier-Mail today.

“The Taskforce on Organised Crime Legislation was established by the Palaszczuk Government as promised at the 2015 State election,” Ms D’Ath said in a statement.

“The commitment, Keeping Our Community Safe, will implement the Government’s “zero tolerance” stance against every element of organised crime.

“The Government has zero tolerance when it comes to outlaw motorcycle gangs.

“I will receive the final report of the Taskforce tomorrow.

“The Taskforce’s findings and recommendations will be discussed at Cabinet next week (4 April). The Taskforce report and an interim response from the Government will be released publicly after Cabinet’s consideration.

“I would like to acknowledge the work of the Taskforce – its chair the Honourable Alan Wilson QC and its members representing the Queensland Police Service, Queensland Police Union, Queensland Police Commissioned Officers’ Union of Employees, Queensland Law Society, Bar Association of Queensland, Public Interest Monitor, Department of Justice and Attorney-General and Department of Premier and Cabinet.”