Comanchero bikies charged in Raptor squad raids across NSW
Strike Force Raptor have charged five members and associates of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) across the state’s west following an investigation into an alleged extortion attempt, seizing 14 firearms, ammunition, prohibited drugs, mobile phones, and OMCG paraphernalia.
Strike Force Raptor have charged five members and associates of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) across the state’s west following an investigation into an alleged extortion attempt.
The Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor North commenced an investigation in August following reports a 51-year-old man had been seriously assaulted and his house set on fire as part of an alleged extortion.
Following inquiries, Raptor North, with the assistance of officers from Orana Mid-Western Police District, Western Region Operational Support Group, and Hunter Valley Police District, executed 10 search warrants at properties across Mudgee, Dubbo, Gulgong, Yarrawonga, and Muswellbrook, just after 7am yesterday.
Investigators seized several items from these locations, including 14 firearms, of which three were allegedly stolen from a home in Ruse in December 2017, ammunition, prohibited drugs, mobile phones, and OMCG paraphernalia.
■A 37-year-old Putta Bucca man was charged with 16 firearms offences, robbery, and detain for advantage. He was refused bail to appear at Mudgee Local Court today.
■A 35-year-old Mudgee man was charged with demand money with menaces with intent to steal, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company, and participate in criminal group contribute criminal activity. He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Mudgee Local Court on January 9 next year.
■A 32-year-old Mudgee man was charged with demand property with menaces with intent to steal, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and unsafe storage of ammunition.
He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Mudgee Local Court on January 9 next year. His firearms licence was also suspended.
Police will allege in court the men, all members of the Comanchero OMCG, assaulted the man after demanding a large amount of cash in July 2018.
A 47-year-old Muscle Creek man was charged with possess ammunition without holding licence/permit and acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order. He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on January 7 next year.
A 27-year-old Dubbo man was charged with possess prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Dubbo Local Court on January 23 next year.
Criminal Groups Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace, praised the work of officers.
“Strike Force Raptor is relentless in its pursuit to disrupt the activities of OMCG members that pose a risk to the community at large,” Det Supt Wallace said.
“We will not tolerate any form of thuggery and will continue to knock on their doors and put them in the back of police cars until these criminal groups are dismantled.
“Anyone in the community who has information on organised criminal activity across the state, we want to hear from you.”
Investigations are continuing.
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
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