Orlando Arama: Alleged Mongrel Mob gang member denied bail over kidnapping

An alleged member of the Mongrel Mob has been charged with kidnapping and holding a man for ransom after police netted him when investigating unrelated case.

An alleged member of a bikie gang has been refused bail after he was arrested in sweeping raids over the kidnap of a man in Bankstown earlier this year.

Investigators allege the scaffolder was also a part of a “sophisticated” puppy scam and fraudulent GST rebate scheme.

Orlando Bernado Charlie Arama, 32, appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Friday charged after cybercrime detectives probing a criminal syndicate stumbled upon the alleged kidnapping when investigating an unrelated case.

The Bexley father-of-four was allegedly involved in taking and detaining a 21-year-old man who was held for ransom in May this year.

Cybercrime Squad detectives have charged three men after uncovering information about an alleged kidnapping in Sydney’s west earlier this year during an unrelated investigation. Picture: NSW Police

Arama, 30-year-old Saia Solofonti and a 42-year-old man were arrested after detectives and Strike Force Raptor officers raided four properties at Georges Hall, Bexley, Kingsgrove and Chipping Norton on Thursday morning.

Police will allege in court the trio are members of the notorious Mongrel Mob, a New Zealand-based bikie gang with a growing influence in Sydney.

Police seized several gang colours, patches, a motorbike and a ute as part of dawn raids targeting the gang.

Arama was charged with knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group; taking/detaining a person with intent to hold them to ransom with conspiracy to commit the offence; making an omission intending to pervert the court of justice and hindering an investigation of a serious indictable offence.

In court on Friday, a statement of police facts said telephone intercepts were lawfully captured where Arama and his co-accused allegedly talked about kidnapping a person who was said to owe a substantial amount of money, in the vicinity of $190,000, and they want to get that money.

Cybercrime Squad detectives – with the assistance of the Raptor Squad – executed four search warrants at homes at Georges Hall, Bexley, Kingsgrove and Chipping Norton from about 6am yesterday, Picture: NSW Police

Magistrate Phillip Stewart noted it was “abundantly clear and unambiguous” they were discussing kidnapping a person with the men allegedly saying “let’s grab him and make him pay us”.

The man was taken home the same night without injury.

The court also heard Arama allegedly spoke with the other men to confirm what version of events they would tell investigators.

Police allege the statements they provided were false.

Police further allege Arama was involved in fraudulent puppy scam where a criminal organisation would post a puppy for sale, they would receive money from a buyer after photos were shown but the dog would never be handed over.

Investigators allege Arama was in a position within a criminal organisation where he directed people to carry out fraudulent GST rebate applications where he would retain some of the money.

The court heard Arama was on bail for a related charge of demanding property with menaces.

Police seized several gang colours, patches, a motorbike and a ute as part of dawn raids targeting the gang. Picture: NSW Police

Arama’s defence barrister Brian Royce submitted the prosecution had a weak case for certain charges but conceded there was some degree of sophistication in the alleged criminal organisation.

He said prosecutors had to prove Arama had intended to detain the man when talking on the phone, and actually provided a false account to investigators.

Mr Royce noted Arama may not receive a full-time custodial sentence on all charges if convicted, also noting there would be a lengthy time spent on remand.

The court heard Arama was married with four children, is the primary breadwinner for the family and works as a scaffolder and runs his own courier business.

Police allege the trio are members of the notorious Mongrel Mob, a New Zealand-based bikie gang with a growing influence in Sydney. Picture: NSW Police

Mr Royce said Arama could abide by strict house arrest among other conditions but Magistrate Stewart said the prosecution case against Arama appeared strong and refused bail.

Meanwhile, Arama’s co-accused Solofonti was charged over the kidnapping as well as his alleged role in the shooting of a 35-year-old man at Merrylands on August 1. He appeared in Bankstown Local Court on Friday.

A 42-year-old man was also charged over the conspiracy to kidnap the man and dealing with $100,000 in proceeds of crime. He is due to front Liverpool Local Court later this month.