Cash, drugs, luxury watches seized in police operation

Homes at Grafton, Ewingsdale and Tweed Heads have been raided in a special police operation which has allegedly yielded drugs, booze, bling and the dismantling of a bikie clubhouse. See what unfolded.

Orchestrated police raids have allegedly reaped a kilogram of cannabis near Grafton, thousands of dollars in cash and luxury watches at Ewingsdale, and white powder at Tweed Heads.

Operation Viking today (July 30) detailed the results from a secret dragnet which included the dismantling of an alleged bikie clubhouse.

At Seelands near Grafton, police moved on a property at bout 9pm on July 18, allegedly finding “significant quantities” of precursor chemicals and equipment consistent with the manufacture of prohibited drugs, as well as around 1kg of cannabis.

The scene was handed over to specialist police from the Drug and Firearms Squad’s Chemical Operations Unit, who assisted in the dismantling the alleged lab.

The following morning, officers moved on a home to the north at Ewingsdale and served a 44-year-old man with a firearm prohibition order, and seized $10,000 in cash and numerous luxury watches.

A number of luxury watches were seized during the operation.

At about 3.40pm on July 20, police raided a Bilambil Heights home, where the 36-year-old occupant is an alleged member of the Mongols motorcycle group.

There, police located a bar area at the rear of the home which contained a large selection of Mongols paraphernalia, quantities of alcohol with a price list, as well as an alleged amount of cannabis.

All items were seized, and the room was dismantled.

Moguls bikie gang paraphernalia.

The special operation then turned its sights on locations at Tweed Heads.

On Monday (July 25) this week police executed a firearm prohibition order search at a home, where officers noticed an amount of alleged cannabis.

They then seized more than 130 grams of a white powder which police suspect to be cocaine, further amounts of cannabis, and more than $18,000 in cash.

Bagged and tagged. Some of the seized items.

A 53-year-old man attended Tweed Heads Police Station about 9am on Thursday, and was charged with deal with property proceeds of crime, two counts of possess prohibited drug, and supply prohibited drug more than indictable amount.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court next month.

On Tuesday, July 26, officers attached to Operation Viking went to a home on Philip Parade, seizing a loaded rifle and ammunition in the kitchen.

An Operation Viking officer during the shakedown.

A 27-year-old man was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station, where he was charged with possess unauthorised firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence, and not keep firearm safely.

He was refused bail and appeared at Tweed Heads Local Court, and was bail refused to appear at the same court on September 9.

State Crime Commander Jason Weinstein said police engaged in two weeks of intensive overt and covert operations.

Police seized seven firearms during the raids.

“The northern border zone has the state’s largest outlaw motorcycle gang population with a significant crossover between NSW and Queensland,” Mr Weinstein said.

“Alongside our law enforcement partners, we have now gathered sufficient intelligence on organised criminal networks functioning across this area and will be well-equipped to deal with any organised criminal activity moving forward.

“We know criminal organisations were establishing themselves across the North Coast because of its lucrative drug market and a perceived idea the area is relatively free of scrutiny from law enforcement.

“I’m confident that following these two weeks that perception has changed.”

Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Northern Command Lesa Gale said the AFP was a key partner in the multi-agency operation.

“The Queensland and NSW border is the most heavily populated border region in Australia and the AFP is committed to using our full capabilities to take the fight to outlaw motorcycle gangs and other serious organised crime networks trying to operate here,” Ms Gale said.