‘Inner West Brotherhood’ gang founder charged over alleged $6m drug importation

Raptor Squad officers have arrested and charged the alleged founding member of the ‘Inner West Brotherhood’ gang for importing $6 million worth of methylamphetamine into Sydney.

Raptor Squad officers have arrested and charged the alleged founding member of the ‘Inner West Brotherhood’ gang for importing $6 million worth of methylamphetamine into Sydney.

The arrest follows a months-long investigation by Strike Force Allister, involving collaboration between Raptor Squad and ABF Intelligence officers, which uncovered evidence of 21kg of the drug being smuggled into a Sydney port.

Investigations led strike force detectives to William Nikua - who allegedly facilitated the import - arresting him in a car in Condell Park just after 5am on Thursday.

Police have charged the alleged founding member of the Inner West Brotherhood. Picture: NSW Police

Officers located evidence to support 21kg of methylamphetamine had been imported into NSW. Picture: NSW Police

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It is understood the 33-year-old was sleeping in his car after having an argument with his partner at home.

He was taken to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with importing commercial quantity of border-controlled drug.

Police will allege in court the man was a founding member of the ‘Inner West Brotherhood’ gang and facilitated the import of the drugs from Mexico, intending to supply them across the city.

William Solomon Nikua in 2022.

He was taken to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug. Picture: NSW Police

Investigations under Strike Force Allister continue. Picture: NSW Police

Police allege Nikau has strong affiliations to street gang 21 District - which is heavily involved in the postcode wars - with Commander of Raptor Squad Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis claiming the Inner West Brotherhood also has ties to the Comanchero motorcycle gang.

“Investigations during this strike force have revealed that our targets are heavily involved in organised crime, importing major levels of drugs, heavily linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs, involved in serious violence, involved in serious criminal activities,” he said.

21kg of the drugs being smuggled into a Sydney port. Picture: NSW Police.

Drugs seized during the operation. Picture: NSW Police

“They’re involved in street violence, through street gangs, postcode wars.

“I just find it bloody crazy, madness that people are willing to inflict serious violence using knives and guns against others because they live in a different postcode.”

Det. Supt. Koutsoufis said the Inner West Brotherhood was one of the original Sydney street gangs - and often wore the same colours as the Comancheros.

“It’s just a great target area for OMCG to go in and recruit from these street gangs who have a propensity for violence,” he said.

William Solomon Nikua appeared at Waverley Court in 2022.

Nikua’s arrest comes after he was caught with cocaine in his underwear at Bondi Beach and sentenced to a 16-month intensive corrections order for drug supply in 2022.

Nikua admitted to police he had drugs hidden in his underwear during a traffic stop.

The magistrate warned Nikua he would “be going to jail” if he reoffends, dismissing his claim that he didn’t know supplying drugs was illegal as “absolutely ridiculous.”

Investigations under Strike Force Allister continue, with Det. Supt. Koutsoufis, promising more arrests were “very, very likely”.

“This is a signal that the Raptor Squad are looking at your criminal activities, and it’s just a matter of time before we come knocking on your door,” he said.

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