Sydney bikie gangs move to regional NSW to avoid police scrutiny

Almost 1000 outlaw motorcycle gang members have relocated to country towns, meeting up in Airbnbs to avoid police scrutiny. Find out where.

Sydney bikies are going bush in an attempt to avoid police scrutiny, with almost 1000 outlaw motorcycle gang members moving to country towns across NSW over the past two years.

With the number of bikies in ­regional areas now equalling that in the city, Strike Force Raptor has increased its presence outside of Sydney, confident of stopping the spread.

“We are constantly working with local police commands and hitting new chapters as they emerge or before they can set up,” Raptor boss Detective Superintendent Jason Weinstein said.

“In small towns they have the added problem that they stand out if they try and wear colours. Also, local cops are pretty good at getting intelligence about who is doing what and we are working with them a lot.”

The famed bikie clubhouse, where gang members would get together to party, talk business and where junior members would pay their fees, has all but gone.

Police say the famed bikie clubhouse no longer exists as it used to.

Many clubs have abandoned the gatherings altogether while others have been forced to resort to holding the “church nights” at rented Airbnbs or pop-up venues.

“There would be half a dozen clubhouses in existence now and the ones we come across are pretty much jokes, in sheds or garages,” Det Supt Weinstein said.

Raptor Force officers allegedly found drugs after a raid in Mudgee. Picture: NSW Police

A Comanchero bikie vest. Picture: NSW Police

“They have some functions in Airbnbs.”

In the glory days the clubhouses of the big gangs such as the Rebels, ­Nomads and Hells Angels were lavish premises with hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on them. Most had fully equipped bars, pole dancing ­facilities and sleeping quarters so the clubhouse was protected 24/7.

“It was a drawcard for young blokes thinking being a bikie was glamorous … and they are gone now,‘’ Det Supt Weinstein said.

Raptor squad members on the trail of bikies in Mudgee. Picture: NSW Police

While there are no specific laws that prohibit outlaw motorcycle gang members (OMCG) from wearing their club colours in public in NSW, many bikies have abandoned wearing the garb because it attracts police attention.

“Most of the time they have to wait until they are in a venue to put their colours on because if they ride in colours, particularly in a group. we pull them over,” Det Supt Weinstein said.

“It has taken a lot of the intimidation factor out of the gangs, who thrive on being bullies and the bikie brand. Occasionally we hear of small groups wearing soft colours, which is T-shirts with logos, but the wearing of full colours is almost a thing of the past.”

Det Supt Weinstein said many of the gangs had expanded their presence in the north coast of the state

“The North Coast is particularly popular with OMCGs because of the drug route to the Gold Coast along the highway from the Hunter area,” he said.

Acting Premier and Police Minister, Paul O’Toole, said country NSW was not a haven for bikies.

“Whether it’s the Hunter Valley, the North Coast, the Central West, or any other part of regional NSW, these crime networks can try and run, but they cannot hide,” he said.

“We know how resilient our regional communities are, but if criminal drug syndicates think the regions are an easy touch for organised crime, our hardworking police officers are intent on stopping them in their tracks.”

A Raptor unit has spent the past week carrying out a disruptive operation on a number of Comanchero in Mudgee in the northwest of the state.

“The country chapters are getting ripped off by their city bosses,” Det Supt Weinstein said.

“They do a lot of the mule work taking the risk transporting drugs around the country and the profits end up funding the senior city members’ lifestyle of overseas trips, designer clothes and exotic cars.”