Bandidos vice president Jarred Marko to face hearing for drugs, weapons charges
A senior Bandidos bikie charged during a Raptor Squad operation aimed at disrupting a bubbling feud between three rival gangs has pleaded not guilty to seven charges.
Police & Courts
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A high-ranking member of the Bandidos who was arrested by Strike Force Raptor during an operation to break up the gang’s stronghold in northern NSW will face a hearing for drugs and weapons charges.
Jarred James Marko, 31, vice president of the Bandidos’ Mid-North Coast chapter, is scheduled for a three-hour hearing at Cessnock Local Court on March 10.
Marko was set to face the hearing on November 1 but technical issues at the courthouse saw proceedings delayed.
The senior bikie has pleaded not guilty to possess prohibited drug; use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order; possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit; possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority; acquire etc ammunition subject to prohibition order; acquire firearm part without authority to do so; and acquire etc firearm part – subject to prohibition order.
He was arrested after officers from the Raptor Squad conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order search of his Weston home on June 21.
Police allege ammunition, a wooden rifle, a knife and cannabis were seized during the search.
Officers then conducted a search of a property at nearby Kurri Kurri, where they allege four bolt action rifles and a shotgun were seized.
Marko was one of five Bandidos — and 10 people total — charged as Strike Force Raptor targeted bikies north of Sydney.
It was part of a week-long operation to quell simmering tensions between the Bandidos, Mongols and Finks, as the rival gangs fight for territory along the Pacific Hwy drug running route.
“It’s all about disruption,” Raptor Squad boss Detective Superintendent Jason Weinstein said at the time.
Marko remains on conditional bail.
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