Bandidos, Finks and Mongols bikies in battle for NSW drug supply routes

The Bandidos, Finks and Mongols have become increasingly fierce in their opposition towards one another over recent months as they fight for territory in northern NSW.

A three-way war between rival bikie gangs is on the verge of breaking out over the vital drug running route between Sydney and the Gold Coast.

The Bandidos, Finks and Mongols have become increasingly fierce in their opposition towards one another over recent months as they fight for territory in northern NSW.

So crucial is the area to each gang’s prospects that interstate reinforcements have been called in.

NSW Police Raptor Squad is cracking down on the Bandidos, Finks and Mongols bikie gangs as they fight it out for control over northern NSW. Picture: NSW Police

The Bandidos, Finks and Mongols have become increasingly fierce in their opposition towards one another over recent months as they fight for territory in northern NSW.

On one occasion, NSW Police’s Raptor Squad stopped 23 members of the Bandidos Gold Coast chapter who were attempting to cross the border to help out other OMCG chapters further south.

Raptor Squad boss Detective Superintendent Jason Weinstein told The Daily Telegraph the ambition of the groups in this area was about one thing – drugs.

“It’s all about their ability to push drugs up the coast,” Det Supt Weinstein said.

“We’re seeing the Finks, the Mongols and the Bandidos becoming more visible in these areas and causing a lot more trouble for the locals.

“The Bandidos and Mongols are particularly strong from Coffs Harbour up the coast and late last month we stopped 23 Bandidos from the Gold Coast as they tried to muscle in.”

In an effort to quell the bubbling war, Raptor Squad spent much of the week in northern NSW, covering an area between the central coast and mid-north coast.

Ten people, including five members of the Bandidos OMCG, were charged with a range of offences.

Raptor Squad spent much of the week in northern NSW, covering an area between the central coast and mid-north coast in an effort to quell the bubbling war.

They included alleged senior Bandidos member Jarred James Marko, 31, who was charged with possessing a prohibited drug, using a prohibited weapon, possessing a prohibited weapon and ammunition without a permit, and acquiring both a firearm and firearm parts, after police allegedly found five guns at his home.

Detective Superintendent Jason Weinstein said the week’s investigations in northern NSW should indicate to bikie gangs: “Raptor’s back”. Picture: AAP/Image Matthew Vasilescu

Fellow Bandidos member Kenneth James Maher, 47, was charged with possessing a prohibited drug after police allegedly found steroids at his home at West Kempsey. He is due to face Port Macquarie Court today.

In total Raptor Squad seized nine firearms, which Det Supt Weinstein called an “outstanding” result.

“The work we did this week was about sending them a message – it doesn’t matter if you’re in Sydney or the north coast, we’ll come and take the fight to you,” he said.

“It’s all about disruption. We found firearms, Taser, knives and steroids.

“They weren’t all patched OMCG members either, some of them were associates and so the message is that if you want to be around these boofheads, there are consequences.”

After years of being scared to publicly wear their colours out of fear of drawing police attention, there have been increasing reports recently of bikies riding in groups – particularly among the three gangs in northern NSW.

“It was almost like they were itching to get back out there after COVID-19,” Det Supt Weinstein said.

“We have done a lot of work in recent years to disrupt them, many clubs don’t even have clubhouses now, but they were certainly becoming more visible recently.

“So this should send a message that Raptor’s back. They can’t hide and they cant do their activities with impunity.”