Police arrest more than 40 people from NSW and Victoria and cross-border outlaw bikie gangs blitz
More than 40 people have been arrested and firearms seized as police laid 112 charges in a major cross-border operation targeting outlaw bikie gangs.
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A major crackdown on bikies has led police to arrest 47 people, laying 112 charges in a major cross-border operation between NSW and Victorian police.
Among those charged were a group of people who allegedly led police on a wild interstate pursuit before it came to a crashing end when officers deployed road spikes.
Those arrested after the alleged pursuit were just five of the dozens of alleged outlaw bikie and organised crime members arrested by police in the joint operation.
NSW Police were called in for backup on Monday after an alleged stolen Nissan Pathfinder led their Victoria Police colleagues on a pursuit across the border.
Raptor Squad ended the pursuit when officers deployed road spikes near the border crossing at Wodonga Place in Albury.
Police located a small quantity of illicit drugs during a search of the vehicle.
The driver, 29, was charged with three offences including police pursuit, driving dangerously and driving conveyance without consent of the owner. He was refused bail and appeared in Albury Local Court on Tuesday.
A passenger, 36, was charged with being carried in conveyance and resisting police. He was also identified as the subject of a drug unit investigation under Strike Force Kumbatine and charged with an additional 57 drug supply-related offences. He was refused bail and appeared in Albury Local Court on Tuesday.
A female passenger, 29, was charged with possessing/attempting to prescribe restricted substances. She was granted strict conditional bail to appear in Albury Local Court on August 8.
And another woman, 23, who was a passenger in the car, was charged with two outstanding warrants relating to previous domestic violence, stealing and breach of bail offences. She was refused bail and appeared in Albury Local Court on Tuesday.
A 28-year-old woman who was a passenger was released pending further inquiries.
They are part of the almost 50 people who arrested in the cross-border operation targeting outlaw bikie gangs.
Police laid 112 charges and conducted 47 Firearm Prohibition Orders (FPO) during the five-day blitz.
Other arrests include a man with alleged links to a bikie gang who was caught with four small bags of an alleged prohibited substance, about $1400 in cash, scales and other items.
The 63-year-old was arrested at his Lavington property on Monday and charged with drug supply. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear in Albury Local Court on June 19.
Another man allegedly led police on a wild pursuit through Albury on Monday before it was called off due to safety concerns. Victoria Police Air Wing were called in for assistance and officers located the driver in a backyard in Thurgoona.
The 39-year-old was arrested at the scene and charged with four offences including a police pursuit; driving recklessly/furiously; driving having never had a license and possession of a prohibited drug.
The man was refused bail and appeared in Albury Local Court on Tuesday.
Raptor Squad Officers searched an address in West Albury and located a knuckle duster.
The 37-year-old was charged with possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit; using a prohibited weapon contrary to a prohibition order; and possessing prohibited drugs. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Albury Local Court on June 19.
Meanwhile, a 39-year-old man in Wodonga was arrested after he was allegedly found with a 3D printer; 3D firearm printed parts; various quantities of what appear to be methylamphetamine and cocaine; and a stolen motorcycle at his property.
A 43-year-old man had his property searched in Wangaratta where police located methylamphetamine and a small quantity of cash.
Victoria Police’s Detective Inspector Craig Darlow said by coordinating cross-border and cross-jurisdictional operations, both agencies enhance their capabilities to disrupt OMCG and criminal networks.
“Outlaw motorcycle gangs are recognised as having high levels of involvement in illicit drug importation, production and distribution, illicit firearms trafficking and money laundering as well as extreme violent crime.
“Alongside our partners and with specialist taskforces such as VIPER and Echo, we will continue to use our full range of capabilities to proactively target OMCGs and those people involved in organised crime at every opportunity.
“There can be a perception that it is easier to hide in the country. That is simply not true. If you are involved in organised criminal activity, you will be detected and you will be held accountable, irrespective of a state border.
“Our message to OMCGs, their facilitators and those people associated with organised crime is clear – we are working together, and we will be relentless. You cannot hide, and we will not stop.”
NSW Detective Acting Superintendent Glyn Baker, Commander of State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad, said the surge of specialist resources on the border was a success in the ongoing fight against organised crime.
“This type of saturation model – where specialist squads deploy and focus on a particular area for a short space of time – is a proven method of crime-fighting, and our time on the border has been no different,” Det A/Supt Baker said.
“The extra resources on the ground here have not only boosted the capabilities of crime-fighting but will ideally have a lasting impact in crime prevention going forward.
“Organised crime in Australia isn’t contained by borders, so law enforcement can’t be either. That’s why this operation was both so necessary and so successful.
“Tackling regional crime is a priority for our organisation, and criminals need to understand there are no safe havens across our country. Just because you’re not in a capital city, that doesn’t mean you aren’t in our sights.”
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