Inside the Mongols: How Bowden’s alleged killers were ‘fast-tracked’

One of Shane Bowden’s alleged murderers was “fast-tracked” as a Mongols patched member just three months after the killing, possibly “as a reward” for “substantial service” to the bikie club, court documents claim.

One of Shane Bowden’s alleged murderers was “fast-tracked” as a Mongols patched member just three months after the killing, possibly “as a reward” for “substantial service” to the bikie club, court documents claim.

The Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang has a hierarchy with the president Ian Crowden at the top of the West City chapter.

Bail documents for accused Bowden killer Adam John Murphy, reveals as an office bearer, Crowden can give orders to patched members that they must follow or risk expulsion, suspension of membership, violence or death.

Mongol bikies internationally have a long history of offending for serious crimes including drug trafficking, murder, money laundering, extortion and weapons offences, Coomera CIB Const. Adam Lawty, told the court in an objection to bail affidavit for Murphy.

Accused bikie killer Adam John Murphy.

Jake Anthony Taylor.

Admission to a gang is a long process where new members must establish their good standing with the club by following rules over several months or even years.

But Const. Peardon states in his affidavit that Murphy’s membership as a patched member of the Mongols in January last year was “fast-tracked”, possibly “as a reward for a substantial service he had provided”.

“Those services were of value to Crowden and the West City Chapter,” Const. Peardon claims.

Crowden is also accused of Bowden’s murder.

Const. Peardon claims that phone taps of prison calls by another co-accused, Jake Andrew Taylor, imply that Murphy was attempting to maintain his “good standing” as a Mongol by “ensuring Mr Taylors continues to not co-operate with investigators” in relation to Bowden’s death.

The Mongols identify as within the so-called “1 per cent” of society who do not recognise laws or social norms.

In Queensland, the club was created in 2013 when the Finks patched over to the Mongols, the court documents state.

After the introduction of the controversial VLAD legislation by the Campbell Newman LNP state government that same year, many Queensland members moved to Melbourne or Adelaide, but police say they have since returned.

Peter Cummins, who police allege is the treasurer of the West City chapter, has previously been identified paying money into “mother chapter” accounts in California, believed by police to be “chapter dues”, court documents state.

They state the club has “office bearers” within each chapter which control the chapter and issue orders to the patched members, the office bearers are identified by a black and white ribbon bar depicted on the right side of their colours.

Police say progression to a full-patched member status of the Mongols bikie gang – symbolised with the wearing of a diamond shaped patch – is from prospect to probationary member to full member, and voting by chapter members is required to green-light promotions.

Initially new prospects are introduced to the club by a patched member, but they only attend functions, the clubhouse and go on club-runs but are barred from entry to official meetings and have no voting rights.

If considered suitable they then become prospects or nominees, and do low level jobs such as cleaning and helping other senior members.

Probationers and prospects follow orders to become members, and their orders are usually less demanding, compared to office bearers, Coomera CIB officer Ben Peardon told the court in his affidavit.