John Wright aka John Winchester: bikie boss hit with new charge

The Canberra Rebels Vice President has been hit with a new charge in court. Find out what happened.

The Canberra Vice President of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang has been hit with a fresh charge.

On Monday John Wright, aka John Winchester, was charged with possessing plant material, equipment or instructions for cultivating a controlled plant.

Mr Wright pleaded not guilty to the new charge.

Canberra Vice-President of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle club John Wright leaves ACT Magistrates court on bail on November 26, 2021. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

He has pleaded not guilty to 11 previous charges which include possessing a drug of dependence; possessing a prohibited weapon; cultivating cannabis for selling; conspiracy and possessing plant equipment for cultivating a controlled plant.

The charges also include failing to comply with an order made by a magistrate; trafficking a controlled substance other than cannabis; two counts of attempting to traffic a controlled drug other than cannabis; and two counts of possession of property suspected of being the proceeds of crime.

Canberra Vice-President of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle club John Wright leaves ACT Magistrates court on bail on November 26 2021. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

All charges relate to a police raid at Mr Wright’s Braddon residence in November 2021.

Inside the residence police allege they found a total of $15,150 in cash, knuckle dusters, a crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine, a white powder suspected to be cocaine, and a guide to growing hydroponic plants.

During the search of Mr Wright’s car police allege they found hydroponic equipment.

Mr Wright will face court again next month for a pre-hearing mention.