Police raid houses of alleged Mongols outlaw gang members
A Cairns prankster is nursing a ruptured spleen after allegedly being bashed by a Cairns City Mongols affiliate who took issue with him photobombing a gang snapshot at a city pub.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
In the suburbs and at the airport, detectives have swooped in to arrest alleged members of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang who now appear to have established a solid foothold in the Far North.
Beating on doors before executing search warrants at Kewarra Beach, Smithfield, Edmonton, Palm Cove, Redlynch, and Brinsmead, officers uncovered gang colours with patches indicating membership to the Cairns City Mongols chapter.
Cocaine was found during the raids however police declined to reveal in what quantities.
At one property wall artwork read “grind, hustle, execute,” while at another address officers uncovered Finks gang patches from Sydney.
An assortment of Mongol apparel was found including shirts branded with Cairns City Mongols and another with a very clear message.
“You don't like the Mongols, f--- you, we don’t care,” the shirt read.
Raids on May 31 were run by officers from the Major and Organised Crime Squad (Far Northern), the Organised Crime Gangs Group, Taskforce Maxima and supported by the Cairns Tactical Crime Squad.
In total, six people have been charged with 23 offences, including grievous bodily harm, habitually consorting with recognised offenders, and drug offences, including a 30-year-old Mooroobool man who was arrested at Cairns Airport on June 4.
Police alleged the man assaulted another man, 37, after he inadvertently photobombed a gang snapshot at the Crown Hotel on Shields St.
The 30-year-old was charged with one count each of grievous bodily harm, public nuisance, and habitually consorting with recognised offenders.
He was remanded in custody and will reappear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on June 14.
Acting Superintendent Kevin Goan said the alleged assailant took issue with the photobomb joke and followed the victim into the bathroom and severely beat him and ruptured his spleen.
“He was hospitalised for five nights and the unfortunate circumstance of his employment is that he could no longer be employed and is now without an income while he is recuperating,” he said.
The latest raids were part of Operation Victor Jenga which began in August 2023, to disrupt, gather intelligence and conduct enforcement actions against outlaw motorcycle gang activities and members.
Acting Superintendent Goan said the gang had chosen to set up in Cairns due to the city being home to a major airport, international travelling tourists and a number of licensed premises where illicit drugs could be sold.
“(And) a bit of extra discretionary cash makes it a place that people that are engaged in this kind of conduct would look forward to trying to establish themselves in our community,” he said.
In response to Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch controversially recognising the Cairns City Mongols’ service to the community during Cyclone Jasper, Superintendent Goan made it clear the gang was not just another community group.
“They are a criminal organisation,” he said.
“And there any activity where they portray themselves to be doing community good, is simply a ruse to disguise their criminal conduct.
“They are a sophisticated criminal network (that will) make illicit moneys through any sort of nefarious enterprise they can think of.”
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Brad Grace said police will continue to target activity by the Mongols OMCG in Cairns.
“We are committed to investigating and focusing on members of OMCGs and associates who pose a threat to community safety,” Sergeant Grace said.
“We want those who take part in the illegal, anti-social and violent behaviours associated with OMCGs to know that our operations will continue.”
A 35-year-old Brinsmead man, 30-year-old Edmonton man, 34-year-old Kewarra Beach man, 30-year-old Brinsmead man and a 31-year-old Redlynch man were all charged with habitually consorting with recognised offenders.
The Brinsmead man was also charged with various drug offences and possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence.
He was remanded in custody and appeared in the Cairns Magistrates Court on June 1, where he was granted bail to reappear on August 2.
The Kewarra Beach man will also appear on August 2, while the Brinsmead man is slated to front court on June 16.
The Redlynch man also charged with one count of public nuisance and will appear on June 18.
More Coverage
Originally published as Police raid houses of alleged Mongols outlaw gang members
Join the conversation
300mm monster: North staring down barrel of fresh flood event
North Queensland faces more life-threatening flooding, with an active monsoon trough expected to dump up to 300mm in some areas.
Read more
New emergency alert as Far North braces for second coming of biblical flood
A second deluge of up to 300mm is set to pound Far North Queensland, with flood warnings for half a dozen rivers and more than 140mm of rain recorded overnight in some parts.
Read more