Sydney’s bikie gangs: Guide to the groups at war in NSW

For decades bikie gangs have operated in Sydney’s suburbs, trafficking drugs, weapons and carrying out hits. Here’s our guide to the gangs still operating in Sydney and beyond.

Bikie gangs have been part of Sydney’s underbelly for decades.

They traffic drugs, weapons, have been known to be involved in counterfitting and even prostitution.

And when their feuds come to a head, it can have fatal consequences.

While our bikie busting cops have done stellar work in attempting to reduce their influence, thousands of bikies remain as part of various groups operating across Sydney.

Here’s our complete guide.

Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Club

Founded: US in the 1960s

Presence: Chapters in western Sydney as well as the central coast and Hunter Valley. Also operating across Australia and overseas.

Fares Abounader was farewelled at a funeral in Punchbowl after being killed last year.

Overview: The first Sydney chapter was formed in 1983. They became headline news the following year when a ferocious gun battle between the Comancheros and Bandidos left seven dead at Milperra.

They have also been involved in long-running feuds with the Gypsy Jokers gang, particularly in the Hunter Valley region, and the Hells Angels.

The gang has chapters across NSW including in Newcastle, West Sydney and the Hunter Valley

Recently in the news: Fares Abounader was shot dead in the Sydney suburb of Panania in August last year. He was reportedly part of a breakaway group of Comancheros which patched over to the Bandidos prior to his death. No-one has been charged with his murder.

Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Club

Founded: Sydney in the 1960s

Presence: South and southwest Sydney as well operating across Australia and overseas

Slain Comanchero figure Mick Hawi.

Overview: Scottish immigrant William ‘Jock’ Ross formed the gang in the late 60s, naming them after the John Wayne film The Comancheros.

For many years the gang’s main rival has been the Bandidos with the feud coming to a head at Milperra.

They have been perhaps the most prominent gang to make headlines in recent years. In 2009 Australia was shocked by images of a huge brawl at Sydney Airport involving members of the gang and the Hells Angels.

One of those involved was Mick Hawi.

Recently in the news: Former Comanchero boss, Mick Hawi, was shot dead outside a gym in Rockdale in 2018. Two men were charged over his murder but were found not guilty by a jury last year.

Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Club

Founded: Brisbane in the 1960s (formerly known as the Confederates)

Presence: Chapters in Penrith, western Sydney and operating across Australia and overseas

Rebels bikie members at a funeral.

Overview: The Rebels is thought to be the largest bikie gang in Australia with more than 2000 members.

They were founded is Brisbane in 1969 and were originally called the Confederates. There are now thought to be around 70 chapters across the country.

Members have been caught up in various criminal activities ranging from drug trafficking to firearms offences.

Recently in the news: In December last year, nine people allegedly linked with the bikie gang were charged over an alleged scam of government grants. The matter is still before the courts.

Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Club

Founded: US in the 1940s

Presence: Chapters across Sydney, NSW and Australia

Overview: Perhaps the best known bikie gang in the world, the Hells Angels has thousands of members across multiple continents. The gang first expanded into Australia in 1975, setting up in Melbourne and Sydney.

Hells Angels jacket seized by police

Recently in the news: A national police operation was held in October last year to “disrupt the criminal activities” of the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang, including in Sydney. Twenty-four people were charged as part of the operation including for drug offences. They remain before the courts.

Nomads Outlaw Motorcycle Club

Founded: Sydney in the 1960s

Presence: Paramatta, Marrickville and Blacktown and operating across Australia

Overview: Set up in 1968 the bikie gang now claims to have more than 2000 members across Australia.

The gang has had a number of high profile members, not least Sam Ibrahim - the brother of Kings Cross identity John.

Sam Ibrahim was once Parramatta chapter president.

The gang has chapters across Sydney including in Paramatta, Marrickville and Blacktown.

Further afield they can be found in Byron Bay and Newcastle.

Recently in the news: In 2018, more than 20 members of the Newcastle Nomads outlaw motorcycle gang entered guilty pleas in Newcastle Local Court for either directing or participating in a criminal group, during a turf war with the Finks.

DLASTHR

Founded: Sydney in 2002

Presence: Fairfield and wider southwest Sydney

Police released this image of a vehicle and asked for information from the public to help catch Marcus’ shooter.

Overview: DLASTHR (The Last Hour) is one of the more recent gangs to have come into existence in Australia having been founded in 2002.

It is said DLASTHR originated from another gang, the Assyrian Kings. Members are known for having a tattoo of a distinctive clenched fist on their back.

Recently in the news: Samer Marcus, a senior member of Assyrian crime gang DLASTHR (The Last Hour), was shot multiple times in Denham Court in Sydney’s southwest in November last year. He survived but suffered serious injuries. Police are still looking for the shooter and have released CCTV footage to help in the investigation.

True Kings

Founded: Sydney in 2012

Presence: Fairfield and wider southwest Sydney

Overview: The True Kings are the arch rival of the DLASTHR gang and southwest Sydney – and in particular Fairfield – has been their battleground.

Amar Kettule

Like its rivals, the True Kings are thought to have originated from the Assyrian Kings. The rivals have been involved in fights over territory and drug supply in Fairfield with shootings and fire bombings attributed to the feud.

Recently in the news: True Kings figure Amar Kettule was shot dead while sitting in a car in Fairfield in Sydney’s southwest in January this year. No-one has yet been charged.

Mongols Outlaw Motorcycle Club

Founded: US in the 1960s

Presence: Blacktown, Inner west, central coast and operating across Australia and overseas

Mongols bikies brothers Luke (left) and Shayden Owens.

Overview: The gang originated in LA in 1969 with the name derived from the Mongol Empire that was led by Genghis Khan. Khan led a band of fearless horseback warriors, which the early gang members thought fitting.

They are sworn enemies of the Hells Angels and have been caught up in criminal activity including drug trafficking, gun running, assaults, thefts, intimidation, and extortion.

Recently in the news: Alleged Mongols bikie Harley Barbaro, brother of slain Sydney underworld figure Pasquale Barbaro, was in court last year and pleaded guilty to breaching bail for failing to report to police and was convicted.

Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Club

Founded: Adelaide in 1960s

Presence: Active in Sydney and operating across Australia and overseas

One of The Finks’ many clubhouses.

Overview: The gang was founded in South Australia with the name coming from The Wizard of Id cartoon.

Its notable members have included larger-than-life boss Finks boss Troy Fornaciari who is recognisable for his many face tattoos.

Recently in the news: The former national president of the Finks bikie gang, Steven Grundeman, pleaded guilty to drug supply last year. He was found with 224g of meth at St Marys in Sydney’s west in 2019.

Gypsy Jokers Outlaw Motorcycle Gang

Founded: US in the 1950s

Presence: Paramatta and western Sydney and operating across Australia and overseas

Overview: It was 1969 before the gang became known in Australia with former members of the St Mary’s Motorcycle Club setting up the first Sydney chapter.

They have been involved in armed robberies, drug trafficking, counterfitting and prostitution.

Recently in the news: A woman was kidnapped and held at a Gypsy Jokers clubhouse in Horsley Park, in Sydney’s west, in 2018. Last year Gypsy Jokers bikie Chad Hogg pleaded guilty to putting the woman through a terrifying ordeal at the clubhouse, assaulting her and shaving her head.