KTM gang: Everything we know about alleged members, history, charges
The infamous KTM gang have been caught up in a major drug trafficking operation, adding to their reputation. EVERYTHING WE KNOW
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The infamous KTM gang have been caught up in a major drug trafficking operation by the Queensland Police Service.
Police on May 30 charged 16 men with drug trafficking alleging a serious organised crime circumstance of aggravation, saying they were operating as part of a structured gang.
This is everything we know about the KTM gang >>>
What is the KTM gang?
They flaunt wealth, talk violence and rap – all for “entertainment purposes”.
KTM first emerged years ago and gained notoriety for being embroiled in controversy in 2022 over the shooting of a senior Comanchero bikie Kyle Leofa during the filming of a KTM drill rap video.
Rap videos attributed to KTM have clips showing men in balaclavas posing in front of luxury vehicles holding wads of cash.
The lyrics include mentions of gang-related violence, with disclaimers on the videos saying they are for “entertainment and educational purposes only”.
What are the new allegations by police?
Police on May 30 charged 16 men with drug trafficking alleging a serious organised crime circumstance of aggravation, saying they were operating as part of a structured gang.
In major raids across the southeast, police seized 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.
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 raids took place in Kuraby, Hillcrest, Woodridge, Brisbane, Upper Mount Gravatt, Calamvale, Logan Reserve, Holland Park West, Woodridge, Underwood, Forest Lake, Algester and Doolandella.
What is the alleged hierarchy in the gang?
Details of the notorious KTM gang’s alleged “pyramid style” hierarchy were heard in court, as six alleged members successfully applied for bail on June 3.
Their applications followed a mass police sweep of 25 southeast Queensland addresses on May 30, with 20 men arrested in the one day.
Acting Magistrate Nigel Rees said the police alleged the KTM syndicate had operated as a pyramid-style hierarchy.
He labelled alleged syndicate leaders Ayaaz Bhagoo and Shirwac Abdi Yusuf as “tier one” at the “head of the snake” of the pyramid.
Brothers Aydin and Isak Celikovic were labelled “tier two” as the alleged syndicate “bankers,” Mr Rees said.
Alleged syndicate leader Ayaaz Bhagoo, 23, made an unsuccessful application for bail in Brisbane Magistrates Court on June 6.
Who are some of the alleged members?
■ Ayaaz Bhagoo, 23
■ Shirwac Abdi Yusuf, 23
■ Aydin Imran Celikovic, 24
■ Isak Jameel Celikovic, 27
■ Khaalid Shaarub, 23
■ Abdirahman Aden Warsame, 24
■ Said Mohamud Abdi, 23
■ Abdullahi Ahmed Adan, 23
■ Sakariye Adam Ahmed, 23
■ Mohamed Dawd Mohamed, 22
■ Ramazani Kiza, 20
■ Mohammed Mosin Khan, 24
■ Exauce Osumaka Makiadi, 20
■ Muhamad Mossi, 19
■ Hamzah Motala, 24
■ Jamal Abdirashid Shaarub, 22
■ Yusuf Yusuf, 20
Full details here
What have police said about the new charges?
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.
“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,’ Acting Superintendent Bowman said of the police allegations.
What are some of the gang’s controversies?
Stabbing allegations
KTM in 2022 became embroiled in controversy over the shooting of a senior Comanchero bikie Kyle Leofa during the filming of a KTM drill rap video.
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 dropped the charge in April 2023, with no evidence offered.
The Courier-Mail revealed a bitter gang rivalry had exploded after the shooting, which happened after Leofa was in one of two vehicles that approached the group of 20 people filming.
Song lyrics
Their lyrics include mentions of gang-related violence, with disclaimers on the videos saying they are for “entertainment and educational purposes only”.
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.
“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, whose voice was recorded for a song before he was convicted of the stabbing murder of 16-year-old Alex Smith in London.
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