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Guns, drugs, cash recovered in bikie raids across the Tweed

Police raided four homes this morning in a cross-border operation.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION: Police raided four properties in the Tweed today. Picture: Contributed
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION: Police raided four properties in the Tweed today. Picture: Contributed

GUNS, drugs and cash have been seized and three alleged gang members arrested following a cross-border crackdown on organised crime.

Chief Inspector Luke Arthurs, from Tweed Byron Police District, said the arrests made this morning were part of operation Falcon 2018, which aimed to disrupt Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs across both borders.

Inspector Arthurs said police executed firearms search warrants at four different locations with the help of the Australia Federal Police, Queensland Police and Queensland Probation and Parole.

He said police first searched a Banora Point address where they found steroids, cannabis and fireworks.

A 23-year-old alleged member of the Lone Wolf motorcycle gang was charged for possessing cannabis, steroids and explosives and will appear in court at a later date.

Police then went to an address in Terrarnora where they seized $6500 in cash from a 41-year-old male alleged Lone Wolf member.

The cash is currently subject to investigations and no further action was taken against the man.

Police then went to Bilambil Heights where they spoke with a 28-year-old man allegedly affiliated with a motorcycle gang called True Bloods.

During a search of the property, police allegedly found two tazers, a prohibited drug and a prohibited substance.

The man was charged and will appear before court at a later date.

Chief Inspector Luke Arthurs, from Tweed Byron Police District, and Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Bollin, from Queensland Police. Picture: Steve Vivian
Chief Inspector Luke Arthurs, from Tweed Byron Police District, and Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Bollin, from Queensland Police. Picture: Steve Vivian

During a final search at a Dum Dum address, police allegedly located a number of firearms and prohibited drugs including a cannabis plant.

A 21-year-old man was charged with two counts of possessing a prohibited firearm, possess a shortened firearm, possess unregistered firearm, possess a prohibited pistol, possess prohibited drug and possess prohibited plant.

He is expected to be refused bail to appear in Tweed Heads Local Court tomorrow.

Inspector Arthurs said the operation highlighted the "unwavering commitment to address the threat of serious organised crime".

"We work very closely with Strikeforce Maxima (QLD) and will continue to do so because these crooks don't know what a boundary is, they're always coming back and forth and we're identifying and targeting the same particular offenders," he said.

Inspector Arthurs said police were working with several motorcycle gang members to gain intelligence and track down offenders.

"We make no apologies for it and we're going to be knocking on their doors and paying them attention very soon," he said.

He said the Tweed was home to several bikie gangs including Lone Wolves, Mongols, Bandidos and more recently, Comancheros.

"Bikies have been known to manufacture and distribute prohibited drugs, they're violent people and have been charged with some very serious offences," he said.

"We will continue to conduct highly-visibility and high-impact operations like this to target and disrupt the activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs and their associates.  

"The safety of the community is our priority, and we will not tolerate public acts of violence - or any activity - that puts that safety at risk."  

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/tweed-heads/guns-drugs-cash-recovered-in-bikie-raids-across-the-tweed/news-story/288eea1e38d11a08eb6d0a50347401bb