Rebels bikie gang raids lead to 17 arrests, guns and drugs seized

Seventeen people have been arrested in a major crackdown on the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang on the Central Coast.

DRUGS, cash and prohibited weapons have been seized following a major crackdown on the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) on the Central­ Coast this week.

Seventeen people were arrested during the two-day operation, in which detectives seized a large amount of items, including prohibited drugs, pill presses, a handgun and ammunition, along with a large sum of cash, Rebels paraphernalia and reptiles.

Eight warrants were executed on Tuesday at homes in Lisarow, Killarney Vale, Budgewoi and The Entrance, along with two homes each at Hamlyn Terrace and Mannering Park.

One warrant was also executed on a tattoo parlour at The Entrance, while a Firearms Prohibition Order search was conducted at Tumbi Umbi. On Wednesday, four more search warrants were executed at homes at Wyoming, Kangy Angy and The Entrance.

Illegal pistol seized from a 24 year old man arrested at Hamlyn Terrace.

Ten people, all members or associates of the Rebels OMCG, were arrested on Tuesday and seven on Wednesday — all were charged with a range of offences.

Strike Force Gateley was formed by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad and Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command in January last year to investigate the criminal activities of Rebels OMCG members on the Coast.

Gangs Squad Commander Superintendent Deborah Wallace said in total 16 search warrants were carried out leading to more than 60 charges.

``This has been the conclusion of what has been a 12 month-long investigation targeting the rebels on the Central Coast,’’ he said.

More than 200 additional police including strike force detectives, Public Order and Riot Squad, Polair, Rescue, Bomb Disposal and the Dog Unit were involved in the crackdown, which follows similar investigations into the Rebels in Queensland and Victoria.

Rebels bikie vest.

Man arrested at Long Jetty during police raids.

“The Rebels have taken a number of hits over recent years and they have been the subject of significant attention, this will not stop,’’ she said.

``We will continue to disrupt and disable this gang in any way we can.’’

Tuggerah Lakes Superintendent David Swilks said police became aware of the extent of the Rebels’ activity from information provided by the public.

“Our community, they’ve had enough of crime in this area and we can actually get the resources to deal with those when we get the information from the community,” he said.

“This is not just about OMCG.’’

Seventeen arrested, drugs and cash seized during operation targeting Rebels on the Central Coast.

Those arrested included a 26-year-old man from Hamlyn Terrace who was later charged with affray, reckless grievous bodily harm in company, assault, four counts of supplying drugs, intimidation and two counts of participate in a criminal group.

Another man, 24, was also arrested at Hamlyn Terrace and charged with possessing an unregistered firearm and pistol, not keeping a firearm safely, three counts of drug supply and participate in a criminal group.

Both men were refused bail to appear at Wyong Local Court on April 6.

Three women were among the 17 arrested in the raids including a 26-year-old at Hamlyn Terrace who was charged with perverting the course of justice and two women, aged 30 and 46, at The Entrance who were charged with drugs supply.

One of the seventeen people arrested during raids on the Central Coast.

One warrant was also executed on a tattoo parlour at The Entrance, while a Firearms Prohibition Order search was conducted at Tumbi Umbi. On Wednesday, four more search warrants were executed at homes at Wyoming, Kangy Angy and The Entrance.

Ten people, all members or associates of the Rebels OMCG, were arrested on Wednesday and charged with a range of offences.

Strike Force Gateley was formed by detectives from the State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad and Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command in January last year to investigate the criminal activities of Rebels OMCG members on the Coast.

More searches and arrests are expected to be made.