Gold Coast residents, including 10 bikies, arrested after weapons and drugs allegedly found at properties
A number of alleged bikies are among more than a dozen people arrested after sweeping raids across the Gold Coast which allegedly found weapons, drugs and stolen items.
Crime and Court
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MORE than a dozen people have been arrested after police this morning raided homes across more than half the Gold Coast.
The extensive raids stretched from Ormeau to Mudgeeraba and saw 15 people ranging in age from 19 to 50 arrested on a total of 52 charges.
More than half those arrested are believed to be members or “very close associates of outlaw motorcycle gangs, with nine Bandidos and one Rebels member allegedly among the group.
Detective Inspector Brendan Smith said the raids, prompted by numerous reports from citizens were a “day of action” for police.
“The community as well as the police have had enough of their anti-social behaviour as well as their involvement in drug supply,” he said.
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“It’s important they get the message that we’re not going to tolerate this behaviour.
“They need to stop it and until they do stop it we will continue to come through their doors at any time of the day or night.”
Police seized a number of items from different properties including a stolen car and trailer, sawn-off weapons, knuckle dusters, and nunchucks.
Also among items seized were unknown amounts of cocaine, methamphetamines, cannabis and steroids.
“The list goes on, it just shows the criminality of these gangs,” Mr Smith said.
“They’re boys who wear costumes, it’s incredible they get away with what they’re doing.
“We’ve got supply, possession of weapons, even down to not providing the pin code on their phones ... they use encrypted apps so we go to a magistrate to be able to (access) that and it’s failure to comply.
“The Gold Coast District in conjuction with State Crime Command and Rapid Action Patrol work together every day until this matter is resolved and they learn to curtail their behaviour.
Among Bandidos members arrested were a 22-year-old man from Upper Coomera, a 36-year-old man from Pimpama, a 19-year-old man from Coomera and a 29-year-old man from Hope Island.
Another 22-year-old man from Coomera is believed to be a Rebels bikie gang associate.
All are expected to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on April 15.
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