Former Mongol bikie enforcer ran Gold Coast drug empire from Melbourne

AN 18-month investigation has revealed how a former senior Mongols bikie was allegedly able to run a Gold Coast drug empire using a variety of cunning means.

Police Media Image. Major interstate police crackdown on bikies – Tweed-Byron LAC . A major 10-day joint police crackdown on outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) operating along the NSW-Queensland border has resulted in the seizure of firearms, drugs and cash, and the shutdown of two OMCG clubhouses. The operation, which involved officers from the NSW Police Force, the Queensland Police Service and the Australian Federal Police, commenced on Tuesday 11 March 2014 and concluded yesterday (Thursday 20 March 2014).

A FORMER senior Mongols bikie allegedly used Skype and an encrypted BlackBerry phone sourced from interstate to help run a Queensland drug empire and avoid police detection.

The Sunday Mail can reveal an 18-month police investigation, focusing on the notorious club’s Gold Coast chapter, has shown a former club heavyweight allegedly advised fellow bikies from his new home in Melbourne, according to documents tendered in the bail application of one of the men charged following the investigation.

Police allege Greg Keating, a former chief bikie enforcer in Queensland, stayed in contact with senior members of the club’s Gold Coast hierarchy, advising them on how to run their alleged drug empire.

Keating was not charged by Queensland police during the investigation.

Nick “The Knife” Forbes, allegedly the Gold Coast chapter president, was charged with drug trafficking.

However, Nick “The Knife” Forbes, the alleged Gold Coast chapter president, is one of a number of people charged with drug trafficking as a result of the police operation, codenamed Lima Interlude.

“(Lawfully intercepted information) LII shows Keating, despite moving interstate, maintains broad control of the activities of the Mongols OMCG (outlaw motorcycle gang) on the Gold Coast and elsewhere,” the police documents state.

“LII shows Keating counsels Forbes and other Mongols OMCG members to complete tasks which police believe relate directly to the management and control of their drug- trafficking network.

“During the course of this investigation, police have identified that Keating has become more sophisticated in his use of telecommunications services, opting to use Skype and an encrypted BlackBerry to communicate with other senior Mongols.”

Criminologist Terry Goldsworthy said internet-based communication applications were harder for police to track.

Police allege Greg Keating, a former chief bikie enforcer in Queensland, gave advice to senior club members on the Gold Coast on how to run their alleged drug empire.

“If you’re using wireless internet systems over Skype, you’re not going to be using that dedicated phone line that the police have the ability to listen to,” the former police officer said.

“The warrant applies to a particular number. If you’re using a wireless network, you’re probably not going to be phoning out on that line.”

Law enforcement agencies have also had trouble with alleged criminals using deeply encrypted mobile phones to avoid police detection.

Telecommunications provider Phantom Secure specialises in selling encrypted BlackBerrys to business executives but its products, which sell for up to about $3500, have also been identified as a favourite among some alleged criminals.

There is no suggestion the company knowingly sells to alleged criminals or markets directly to them.

The claims against Mongols members are among other allegations of bribery and intimidation ordered by Forbes. He only faces charges of drug possession and trafficking.

Police from bikie-busting Taskforce Maxima allege former patched member Clint Harris was bribed for not snitching on the gang to police.

It is claimed Harris was kicked out of the group in May after he was involved in a botched drug deal.

Clint Harris, who was allegedly kicked out of the group over a botched drug deal.

As retribution, it is alleged Mongols members fleeced jewellery and a motorbike from him.

But a wiretap is claimed to have intercepted an order from Forbes to return the items “after deciding he was a risk of becoming a police informant”.

The documents reveal that police have evidence that after being kicked out, Harris sent pictures to patched member Brenton Atkinson proving he was getting a Mongols tattoo removed from his forehead.

The removal of club tattoos is a requirement of the gang once a member leaves.

Another former patched member was stood over, with “all of his Mongols OMGC paraphernalia” taken, after he was accused of using an unsanctioned lawyer, the documents allege.

Club tattoos must be removed if a member leaves the gang.

Police claim members of the gang believe he had “rolled” on them.

However, in his defence, Forbes claimed to have moved away from the Gold Coast before his arrest in a conscious decision “to have a trouble-free existence”.

He said he had been living with his fiancee and their children.

In an affidavit, his fiancee said the couple’s front door had been kicked in.

She said that when the culprits first knocked, Forbes called out, telling them children were home and he would open the door.

“Nicholas and I have been striving to provide a stable family life for our children and I fear that should he remain in custody, our family will ultimately suffer,” she said.

Originally published as Former Mongol bikie enforcer ran Gold Coast drug empire from Melbourne