Police arrest three men linked to Hells Angels after raid on East Brisbane property

Police have uncovered a commercial-size drug laboratory in Brisbane, seizing kilograms of drugs worth $3 million, assault rifles and cash. Three men with links to Hells Angels were arrested.

Police have arrested three men linked to the Hells Angels bikie gang, seized assault rifles and hand guns and 8.5kg of drugs estimated to be worth more than $3 million.

Officers raided a building in East Brisbane on November 4 as part of an investigation into the production and trafficking of methamphetamine.

Police said officers allegedly found a commercial-size clandestine laboratory for the production of methamphetamine, seven firearms including handguns and assault rifles, $153,000 in cash, more than 6.5kg of heroin and 2kg of methamphetamine.

Police estimate the drugs to be worth more than $3m.

Assault rifles were seized during the raids. Picture: Supplied

The operation was a joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police-led Queensland National Anti-Gangs Squad, Queensland Police Service Organised Crime Gangs Group and Australian Crime and Intelligence Commission (ACIC).

Police said a Gold Coast man, 45, and a East Toowoomba man, 30, were arrested near the address and have been charged with with one count each of production of a dangerous drug, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of crime, possession of relevant things and two counts of possession of a dangerous drug.

They have been remanded in custody and will appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court at a later date. The Toowoomba man is due to appear on November 16 and the Gold Coast man on December 6.

Police located 2kg of methamphetamine at a commercial-size clandestine laboratory. Picture: Supplied

Officers also arrested a Rockhampton man, 31, at Miriam Vale on November 4. They searched his car and allegedly found $151,000 in cash.

He has been charged with possession of tainted property and is expected to appear in Gladstone Magistrates Court on November 22.

National Anti-Gangs Squad Commander Andrew Donoghoe said the AFP, with state and Commonwealth law enforcement partners had remained one step ahead of outlaw motorcycle gangs, making arrests from the top to the bottom of the packs.

“Meth and heroin cause horrendous damage to the community through addiction and family violence, all in the name of greed for organised crime,” he said.

“There’s nowhere to hide for groups who seek to produce or peddle drugs like meth, the full force of the Australian Federal Police and our partners is coming for you.”

A clandestine drug laboratory uncovered during police raids on suspected Hells Angels members. Picture: Supplied

Queensland Police Service Detective Acting Superintendent Craig McGrath of the Organised Crime Gangs Group said the investigation highlighted the value of QPS working collaboratively with partner agencies to disrupt and prosecute criminal groups who continued to prey on our community.

“The seizure of the firearms, also greatly reduces the risk of harm to the community, by removing them from the hands of gang members, who continue to threaten and use violence as part of their illegal operations,” Detective Acting Superintendent McGrath said.

Drugs being manufactured inside an East Brisbane property. Picture: Supplied

ACIC State Director Queensland Boyd Doherty said this result is another example of the importance of the joint agency approach against organised crime.

“Through and working in conjunction with law enforcement partners, the ACIC can extend its reach to target criminal networks,

“By working together, we are seeing significant results in preventing illicit drugs from reaching the community and we will continue to target the serious and organised crime groups who profit from the manufacture and trafficking of these drugs and firearms, with no regard for the harm they cause,” Mr Doherty said.