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Simon Rasic, the Rebels National Sergeant-at-Arms, died of natural causes in 2014, leaving a leadership vacuum in the Rebels. He is seated in the photo above.
1/50Simon Rasic, the Rebels National Sergeant-at-Arms, died of natural causes in 2014, leaving a leadership vacuum in the Rebels. He is seated in the photo above.
Detective Superintendent Deb Wallace, Commander of the NSW Gangs Squad, pictured with seized outlaw motorcycle gang regalia for the Gangs Squad’s trophy room.
2/50Detective Superintendent Deb Wallace, Commander of the NSW Gangs Squad, pictured with seized outlaw motorcycle gang regalia for the Gangs Squad’s trophy room.
The democratisation of the gangs and their membership brought with it an influx of Middle Eastern and Islander criminals. By the mid-2000s, bikies began carefully grooming themselves, frequenting gyms, injecting steroids, and shopping for designer clothes.
3/50The democratisation of the gangs and their membership brought with it an influx of Middle Eastern and Islander criminals. By the mid-2000s, bikies began carefully grooming themselves, frequenting gyms, injecting steroids, and shopping for designer clothes.
The Rebels were once the largest outlaw motorcycle gangs in the country with a membership exceeding roughly 2000 members. Today, law enforcement officials believe they are a spent force.
4/50The Rebels were once the largest outlaw motorcycle gangs in the country with a membership exceeding roughly 2000 members. Today, law enforcement officials believe they are a spent force.
Strike Force Raptor’s first arrest was a bikie associate by the name of Denis Karac. Officers raided his house at Rockdale and found a sawn off shotgun inside.
5/50Strike Force Raptor’s first arrest was a bikie associate by the name of Denis Karac. Officers raided his house at Rockdale and found a sawn off shotgun inside.
Strike Force Raptor is a multi-tiered unit comprising investigators, tactical police, intelligence officers and a highway patrol unit. Pictured here are the tactical officers about to execute a search warrant Pic: NSW Police
6/50Strike Force Raptor is a multi-tiered unit comprising investigators, tactical police, intelligence officers and a highway patrol unit. Pictured here are the tactical officers about to execute a search warrant Pic: NSW Police
Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace, Commander of the NSW Gangs Squad, pictured with Detective Chief Inspector Darren Beeche, the tactical leader of Strike Force Raptor. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
7/50Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace, Commander of the NSW Gangs Squad, pictured with Detective Chief Inspector Darren Beeche, the tactical leader of Strike Force Raptor. Picture: Sam Ruttyn
Strike Force Raptor’s tactical unit raiding a house as part of a 2012 investigation into the Nomads and Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gangs, which were warring over drug territory at the time.
8/50Strike Force Raptor’s tactical unit raiding a house as part of a 2012 investigation into the Nomads and Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gangs, which were warring over drug territory at the time.
To gain entry to Strike Force Raptor’s tactical unit, officers have to fight its leader, literally wrestle, in order to prove their mettle.
9/50To gain entry to Strike Force Raptor’s tactical unit, officers have to fight its leader, literally wrestle, in order to prove their mettle.
The tactical officers are also cross-trained in multiple police fields. Tactical officers are trained to run investigations, conduct surveillance, and also work as highway patrol officers.
10/50The tactical officers are also cross-trained in multiple police fields. Tactical officers are trained to run investigations, conduct surveillance, and also work as highway patrol officers.
Shane ‘Kiwi’ Martin was a high-profile member of the Rebels until his visa was cancelled by the Federal Government in 2016. Currently in New Zealand, Raptor officers believe he was the gangs southern region president until his departure.
11/50Shane ‘Kiwi’ Martin was a high-profile member of the Rebels until his visa was cancelled by the Federal Government in 2016. Currently in New Zealand, Raptor officers believe he was the gangs southern region president until his departure.
Many of Raptor’s targets have a serious dislike of their police work. It’s not uncommon for the strike force’s officers to find graffiti sprayed onto clubhouses once they’ve been raided.
12/50Many of Raptor’s targets have a serious dislike of their police work. It’s not uncommon for the strike force’s officers to find graffiti sprayed onto clubhouses once they’ve been raided.
Mark Buddle, the former commander of the Comanchero, pictured here before departing Australia. His whereabouts are unknown, but officials believe he’s residing in the Middle East.
13/50Mark Buddle, the former commander of the Comanchero, pictured here before departing Australia. His whereabouts are unknown, but officials believe he’s residing in the Middle East.
A framed photograph seized by Strike Force Raptor during a raid on a Comanchero clubhouse
14/50A framed photograph seized by Strike Force Raptor during a raid on a Comanchero clubhouse
Detective Chief Inspector David Adney (centre, wearing a tie) is the commander of Strike Force Raptor and has been since the unit’s inception in March 2009.
15/50Detective Chief Inspector David Adney (centre, wearing a tie) is the commander of Strike Force Raptor and has been since the unit’s inception in March 2009.
Loathing against Raptor runs high, to the point where some bikies have inked anti-Raptor tattoos on their bodies.
16/50Loathing against Raptor runs high, to the point where some bikies have inked anti-Raptor tattoos on their bodies.
Anti-Raptor graffiti is often found inside and outside clubhouses once they’ve been raided by the strike force.
17/50Anti-Raptor graffiti is often found inside and outside clubhouses once they’ve been raided by the strike force.
Detective Chief Inspector Darren Beeche is the leader of Raptor’s tactical unit. He’s an accomplished boxer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. In order to join his team, officers have to fight him and prove their mettle.
18/50Detective Chief Inspector Darren Beeche is the leader of Raptor’s tactical unit. He’s an accomplished boxer and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. In order to join his team, officers have to fight him and prove their mettle.
Raptor has made life for bikies particularly miserable. Regular house raids and car searches have made wearing a patch almost unbearable. Officer say bikie membership has dropped because of their tactics. And many bikies have corroborated this view.
19/50Raptor has made life for bikies particularly miserable. Regular house raids and car searches have made wearing a patch almost unbearable. Officer say bikie membership has dropped because of their tactics. And many bikies have corroborated this view.
Hassam 'Sam' Ibrahim (with glasses) with his younger brother John at the Wood Royal Commission into police corruption. Sam was scouted by the Nomads in the 1990s to join their outlaw motorcycle gang, a move that changed the bikie subculture forever.
20/50Hassam 'Sam' Ibrahim (with glasses) with his younger brother John at the Wood Royal Commission into police corruption. Sam was scouted by the Nomads in the 1990s to join their outlaw motorcycle gang, a move that changed the bikie subculture forever.
A look inside the Fourth Reich’s Wollongong clubhouse. Raptor officers raided the venu as part of a 2015 operation. At the time, the gang had opened their doors for a bike show, to raise money for a local shark patrol service.
21/50A look inside the Fourth Reich’s Wollongong clubhouse. Raptor officers raided the venu as part of a 2015 operation. At the time, the gang had opened their doors for a bike show, to raise money for a local shark patrol service.
The street gang Notorious caused havoc across Sydney in 2009, though its members also came under fire. Picture here is a crime scene on Gerald Crescent, Doonside, where a house was shot up in a drive-by shooting.
22/50The street gang Notorious caused havoc across Sydney in 2009, though its members also came under fire. Picture here is a crime scene on Gerald Crescent, Doonside, where a house was shot up in a drive-by shooting.
The patch, or colours, of bikie gang Notorious, which has now considered defunct following significant targeting by Strike Force Raptor.
23/50The patch, or colours, of bikie gang Notorious, which has now considered defunct following significant targeting by Strike Force Raptor.
A look inside the Fourth Reich’s Wollongong clubhouse. Raptor officers raided the venu as part of a 2015 operation. At the time, the gang had opened their doors for a bike show, to raise money for a local shark patrol service.
24/50A look inside the Fourth Reich’s Wollongong clubhouse. Raptor officers raided the venu as part of a 2015 operation. At the time, the gang had opened their doors for a bike show, to raise money for a local shark patrol service.
In the days after the 2009 Airport Brawl, police swung into action, announcing a new strike force dedicated to policing outlaw motorcycle gangs. The announcement was made by Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, pictured above in blue uniform.
25/50In the days after the 2009 Airport Brawl, police swung into action, announcing a new strike force dedicated to policing outlaw motorcycle gangs. The announcement was made by Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, pictured above in blue uniform.
A still image of Sydney Airport in the moments before the infamous ‘Airport Brawl’ transpired between members of the Hells Angels and Comancheros. The brawl would be the catalyst for the formation of Strike Force Raptor, which changed the bikie landscape forever.
26/50A still image of Sydney Airport in the moments before the infamous ‘Airport Brawl’ transpired between members of the Hells Angels and Comancheros. The brawl would be the catalyst for the formation of Strike Force Raptor, which changed the bikie landscape forever.
Brothers For Life Blacktown chapter leader Farhad Qaumi. He considered joining a bikie gang while inside Supermax prison. Instead he got out and formed his own crew.
27/50Brothers For Life Blacktown chapter leader Farhad Qaumi. He considered joining a bikie gang while inside Supermax prison. Instead he got out and formed his own crew.
A Raptor raid on the Nomads clubhouse in Sydney saw the whole chapter lined up outside the premises and put on their stomachs.
28/50A Raptor raid on the Nomads clubhouse in Sydney saw the whole chapter lined up outside the premises and put on their stomachs.
Bikies rarely hold press conferences, but in response to Strike Force Raptor and its aggressive targeting, the Rebels National President Alex Vella opened the doors of his Bringelly clubhouse and allowed members of the media to ask him questions.
29/50Bikies rarely hold press conferences, but in response to Strike Force Raptor and its aggressive targeting, the Rebels National President Alex Vella opened the doors of his Bringelly clubhouse and allowed members of the media to ask him questions.
A member of the Rebels disliked Raptor so much that he had an officer, styled as a pig, tattooed on his leg.
30/50A member of the Rebels disliked Raptor so much that he had an officer, styled as a pig, tattooed on his leg.
Bikies rarely hold press conferences, but in response to Strike Force Raptor and its aggressive targeting, the Rebels National President Alex Vella opened the doors of his Bringelly clubhouse and allowed members of the media to ask him questions.
31/50Bikies rarely hold press conferences, but in response to Strike Force Raptor and its aggressive targeting, the Rebels National President Alex Vella opened the doors of his Bringelly clubhouse and allowed members of the media to ask him questions.
Rebels National President Alex Vella pictured at a funeral for one of their members, shot dead in Campbelltown.
32/50Rebels National President Alex Vella pictured at a funeral for one of their members, shot dead in Campbelltown.
Mouhamed ‘Moudi’ Tajjour (right) with his brother Sleiman ‘Simon’ Tajjour. Moudi says he's left the Nomads and is no longer involved in gang life.
33/50Mouhamed ‘Moudi’ Tajjour (right) with his brother Sleiman ‘Simon’ Tajjour. Moudi says he's left the Nomads and is no longer involved in gang life.
Raptor officials believe the Nomads are aggressively recruiting in a bid to bolster their brand. Pictured above is the gangs National President, Sleiman ‘Simon’ Tajjour, along with Vice President, Steve Vujica (right). Sergeant-at-Arms Craig Damond is on the left next to lawyer Simon Joyner (middle).
34/50Raptor officials believe the Nomads are aggressively recruiting in a bid to bolster their brand. Pictured above is the gangs National President, Sleiman ‘Simon’ Tajjour, along with Vice President, Steve Vujica (right). Sergeant-at-Arms Craig Damond is on the left next to lawyer Simon Joyner (middle).
A Raptor officer arresting a member of the Nomads outlaw motorcycle gang.
35/50A Raptor officer arresting a member of the Nomads outlaw motorcycle gang.
Police officers dismantling a Comanchero clubhouse in NSW.
36/50Police officers dismantling a Comanchero clubhouse in NSW.
Alex Vella (left) pictured with his son Alex Vella Jnr.
37/50Alex Vella (left) pictured with his son Alex Vella Jnr.
Bandidos National President Jason Fahey.
38/50Bandidos National President Jason Fahey.
Copy picture of Alex Vella and his wife.
39/50Copy picture of Alex Vella and his wife.
Copy picture of Alex Vella and his wife.
40/50Copy picture of Alex Vella and his wife.
Alex Vella, better known as The Maltese Falcon, pictured here in the Mosta district of Malta. The Federal Government cancelled his Australian residency visa in 2014 while he was out of the country, meaning he’s been unable to return ever since. His exile has crippled the Rebels. Picture David Dyson
41/50Alex Vella, better known as The Maltese Falcon, pictured here in the Mosta district of Malta. The Federal Government cancelled his Australian residency visa in 2014 while he was out of the country, meaning he’s been unable to return ever since. His exile has crippled the Rebels. Picture David Dyson
Twenty-eight-year-old Pasilika Naufahu had to leave his wife and two children behind in Sydney after being deported on character grounds. He arrived back in Auckland on February 12. The next day he, his brother and a friend were arrested after a violent fight during which a woman was assaulted.
42/50Twenty-eight-year-old Pasilika Naufahu had to leave his wife and two children behind in Sydney after being deported on character grounds. He arrived back in Auckland on February 12. The next day he, his brother and a friend were arrested after a violent fight during which a woman was assaulted.
Senior Constable Nathan Trueman is a tactical officer at Strike Force Raptor. He’s implementing a program to stop school children being groomed by bikies for gang membership.
43/50Senior Constable Nathan Trueman is a tactical officer at Strike Force Raptor. He’s implementing a program to stop school children being groomed by bikies for gang membership.
A shirt worn by a senior Rebels bikie gang member assaulted by his own crew at Prospect in 2013. The man was rumoured to have been cheating with another member’s wife, but another claim was that he’d been planning on leaving the gang.
44/50A shirt worn by a senior Rebels bikie gang member assaulted by his own crew at Prospect in 2013. The man was rumoured to have been cheating with another member’s wife, but another claim was that he’d been planning on leaving the gang.
A phone cover found by police after a senior Rebels bikie gang member was assaulted by his own crew at Prospect. The man was rumoured to have been cheating with another member’s wife, but another claim was that he’d been planning on leaving the gang.
45/50A phone cover found by police after a senior Rebels bikie gang member was assaulted by his own crew at Prospect. The man was rumoured to have been cheating with another member’s wife, but another claim was that he’d been planning on leaving the gang.
Mark Buddle (right) and Daux Ngakuru following a court appearance in Sydney. Both men now reside overseas and are believed to be coordinating drug shipments back to Australia.
46/50Mark Buddle (right) and Daux Ngakuru following a court appearance in Sydney. Both men now reside overseas and are believed to be coordinating drug shipments back to Australia.
Agapitos (Fat Pete) Megaloudis in wheel chair outside court. The Rebels member was a significant Strike Force Raptor target after it first formed in 2009.
47/50Agapitos (Fat Pete) Megaloudis in wheel chair outside court. The Rebels member was a significant Strike Force Raptor target after it first formed in 2009.
Police officers dismantling a Comanchero clubhouse in NSW.
48/50Police officers dismantling a Comanchero clubhouse in NSW.
The Rebels were once the biggest outlaw motorcycle gang in the country. Now, law enforcement officials believe they are a spent force due to their leadership woes and targeting by Raptor.
49/50The Rebels were once the biggest outlaw motorcycle gang in the country. Now, law enforcement officials believe they are a spent force due to their leadership woes and targeting by Raptor.
GANGS Squad officers will visit high-schools and make direct appeals to students as part of an initiative to stop them joining outlaw motorcycle gangs.
50/50GANGS Squad officers will visit high-schools and make direct appeals to students as part of an initiative to stop them joining outlaw motorcycle gangs.
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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/photos/the-raptor-chronicles-in-pictures/image-gallery/9d08c09f2d1aa19426c27f2c6e85635a