Bandidos enforcer Ben Adams arrested in police raids across Hunter, Mid-North Coast
The man being touted as a possible national Bandidos leader was arrested at Thornton as part of a series of Raptor Squad raids.
Police & Courts
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A high-ranking Bandido bikie being touted as the gang’s potential national leader has been arrested during a four-day Raptor Squad blitz across the Hunter and Mid-North Coast.
Benjamin Paul Adams was hauled from a Thornton home early on Tuesday morning and charged over two brutal bashings — one of a rival Rebels member — as the anti-bikie squad allegedly seized more than $12,000 cash and bikie paraphernalia from his home.
Adams, 33, was one of eight people charged following the operation which police said was to “target and disrupt the activities of the Bandidos OMCG on the Mid-North Coast’’.
It came after simmering tensions between some criminal groups within the greater Hunter and Mid-North Coast caught the attention of Raptor Squad.
Police allegedly seized prohibited weapons, ammunition, bikie paraphernalia, prescription medication and drugs from a series of raids — all of which will undergo further forensic examination.
“This is further evidence that no matter where you are in NSW, if you want to be a bikie or associate with bikies, Raptor is watching,’’ Raptor Squad commander Detective Superintendent Jason Weinstein said.
“If you think by living in northern NSW, away from Sydney, that you are out of reach of Raptor, you need to think again.
“All communities have the right to feel safe, and police will continue to [apply] intelligence-led policing methods such as those employed in the Week of Action.”
Adams is the sergeant-at-arms of the Mid-North Coast chapter but was being touted as a future national leader of the Bandidos.
He appeared in Maitland Local Court on Friday where prominent bikie lawyer Roland Day entered guilty pleas to two affray charges on his behalf.
In documents tendered to the court, police said Adams and two other Bandidos bashed Rebels bikie David Button outside Stockland Greenhills on May 28, chasing Mr Button into traffic where he was hit by a car.
The group followed and filmed Mr Button throughout the shopping centre before the physical altercation out on the street.
“Adams removed his jacket and handed it to the yet to be identified male,” police said.
“Adams and Button commenced a physical altercation whereby numerous punches were exchanged.
“Adams pursued Button who was walking backwards into lanes of traffic. Button was struck by a motor vehicle in lane one, however was not seriously injured.”
Neither man provided a statement to police over the incident.
Two months later on July 21 Adams carried out another bashing caught on camera, this time at Coal Point boat ramp.
Police said the victim Jeremy Wade cowered and apologised to Adams as he was approached at the jetty.
“I’m sorry, I’m f**king sorry, please, please mate,” Mr Wade said, according to police documents.
“The accused used his right fist to punch the victim to the left side of his facial area causing a loud thudding noise,” police said.
“At the time it appeared the accused had an object in his hand.
“The victim fell backwards onto the ground … and said ‘yep, I earnt that, I deserved that’.”
Adams did not apply for bail and will remain behind bars until his sentencing on October 28.
The raid on the Thornton home occurred just before 6am on Tuesday, as one of a series of simultaneous raids Raptor Squad.
Police allege that along with the cash, they also seized bikie colours, a mobile phone, prescription drugs and a “modified weapon’’.
At the same time – about 6am on Tuesday – Raptor Squad was raiding homes in Wauchope and South West Rocks.
During a search of the Wauchope home and a vehicle. Officers allegedly seized prohibited drugs, an extendible baton, ammunition, Bandidos “supporter clothing’’ and other items.
Two men, aged 54 and 45, will be issued with court attendance notices for possessing a prohibited drug.
At South West Rocks, a Bandidos member was arrested and charged with possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit.
Police allegedly seized a ballistic vest, bikie colours, cash, prohibited drugs and other items.
Six hours later, police raided a Port Macquarie home and allegedly seized two poker machines, Bandidos clothing, belt buckles and cash.
No one was arrested.
The following day, a firearms prohibition order was executed on a 34-year-old man at Kempsey.
Police said a search of the house allegedly found two gel blasters and 12 packets of gel balls in a bedroom.
The man was charged with two counts of possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm and two counts of not keeping a firearm safely.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Kempsey Local Court on November 8.
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