Police uncover ‘ice drug farm’ probing mystery death of Rebels bikie Ricky Ciano
POLICE have descended on a remote bushland ice lab as they step up their investigations into the Valentine’s Day death of a former high ranking member of the Rebels bikie gang in his luxury car.
NSW
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POLICE have descended on a remote bushland drug farm as they step up their investigations into the mysterious death of a former high ranking member of the Rebels bikie gang.
Ricky Ciano, a former enforcer in the outlawed motorcycle club’s Sydney chapter, was found dead inside his luxury $130,000 BMW at Duckmaloi, near Oberon in the state’s central west on Valentine’s Day.
Detectives are treating his death as suspicious.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding Mr Ciano’s death are being led by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad under Strike Force Kiaka.
Following an appeal to the community for information in July, strike force detectives identified a vacant property at Oberon, which they believe Mr Ciano may have attended the weekend he died.
About 10am on Tuesday, Strike Force Kiaka detectives executed a crime scene warrant at the property on Harris Road, Oberon.
Investigators were assisted by the Public Order and Riot Squad, Marine Area Command divers, the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, the Drug and Firearms Squad’s Chemical Operations, Forensic Evidence and Technical Services Command, and local police.
During the search, investigators identified the premises had previously been used for cannabis cultivation and the manufacture of methylamphetamine; a number of items relevant to the investigation were seized.
In addition, specialist forensic officers conducted an extensive examination of the property.
The Homicide Squad’s Detective Chief Inspector Jason Dickinson said while strike force investigators are awaiting forensic results, they are making a further appeal to the community for assistance.
“We have received considerable support from the community, which has helped us trace the movements of Mr Ciano’s vehicle and a Hiace van, which had been travelling with it,” Det Ch Insp Dickinson said.
“That information assisted us to locate this property, and based on what we found there, we are confident there are people who know more about Mr Ciano’s death.
“We welcome information from the community, particularly if they noticed something suspicious in the area at the time, or if they saw or spoke to Mr Ciano in the days leading up to his death.
“Our inquiries are very much ongoing, and we are determined to provide answers to Mr Ciano’s family, so we urge those who have knowledge of what happened at Oberon to contact police,” Det Ch Insp Dickinson said.
Mr Ciano left the Rebels in 2015 on the understanding he could walk free from the club under certain conditions, including he remove his distinctive club tattoos.
But soon after his departure an attempt was made on his life at his Wamberal home on the Central Coast.
Another former high-ranking Rebels member, Abuzar Sultani, was charged with conspiring to murder Mr Ciano. Police allege Sultani — known as “Abs” — was to be paid $500,000 for the botched hit, which involved a fake pizza delivery.
After the murder attempt Mr Ciano moved to the Gold Coast with his family, but a close friend told The Daily Telegraph he travelled to Sydney most weekends to visit family and friends.
Ciano was friends with murdered gangland figures Wally Ahmad and fellow Rebels bikie Mark Easter.
It is understood Ciano was meant to be visiting his young daughter in Sydney when he went missing .