Prosecutors apply to seize Hells Angels’ Ponde stronghold as a criminal asset in landmark court action

Ponde has been notorious as the Hells Angels’ rural lair for 40 years. Now, in an unprecedented move, SA prosecutors have launched legal action to seize the 15-hectare property following the murder of an innocent man.

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The state’s most notorious outlaw bikie gang has been blindsided by a brazen, unprecedented legal manoeuvre to seize its most prized stronghold – which overlooks the River Murray and is worth millions of dollars.

On Thursday, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutors filed a Supreme Court forfeiture injunction against the Hells Angels’ property at Ponde, 107km east of Adelaide.

The 15ha of scrubland has, for more than 40 years, been the gang’s untouchable “home away from home” complete with buildings, a racetrack, bar and entertainment areas and motorbike jumps.

The DPP’s bold move follows the discovery of what SA Police allege is the dismantled and burnt-out getaway car – buried 4m underground – used in the 2017 murder of Mark Boyce.

Murder victim Mark Boyce.

Convicted murderer and Hells Angels gang member Joshua Roy Grant.

Lisa Dunlop, for the DPP, said the presence of that car meant the entire property could be considered an instrument of crime – leaving the Hells Angels at risk of losing it.

“It’s a blue Toyota Echo, or what’s left of it, that’s triggered this application,” she told the court.

“That car was used to take one man, who has been convicted of the murder, and another who remains a suspect from the scene after the murder had occurred.

“Our primary application, therefore, is for the forfeiture of the property – and for a restraining order so that the property cannot be dealt with before that application is decided.”

Ponde is best known for its famed Music Festival which was, for many years, run by the gang – which is known to be a strong supporter of local rock music.

Wild parties of the Hells Angel’s Ponde property

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In September, SA Police began searching the sprawling property for evidence connected to a murder.

The search was sparked by the conviction of gang member Joshua Roy Grant, who murdered Mark Boyce in 2017 and is serving at least 20 years’ jail.

Grant and two other men had intended to attack another man that night, but ambushed and fatally bashed Mr Boyce – who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

In addition to the car, police also seized a shotgun, rifle and silencer, and filed charges against a senior member of the gang who allegedly served as the property’s caretaker.

Motorbike riders make their way to the Ponde Music Festival, organised by the Hells Angels, in February 1995.

The DPP’s application has been filed against both Grant and Disorganized Developments Pty Ltd, the company that maintains the property and of which he is a director.

Under the Criminal Assets Confiscation Act (2005), law enforcement groups have six months from the date of conviction to seize an offender’s property.

The Act also allows a court to grant restraining orders over property – however, forfeiture then occurs automatically.

On Thursday, Ms Dunlop said forensic analysis of the car was completed only recently, prompting the filing of the application late Tuesday.

She said Major Crime Detectives were still investigating three other gang members considered suspects in Mr Boyce’s murder, and asked their identities be suppressed.

Ms Dunlop noted the six-month period following Grant’s conviction expired on December 21, but said she was willing to argue the case after Christmas.

Firearms found by police during a search of the Hells Angels compound at Ponde. Picture: SA Police.

“I’m in a position to argue it today but don’t wish to be unfair to the defendants, as they’ve only had a limited time to prepare for this matter,” she said.

“We do say the restraining order should be granted today but, given the consequences that flow, we do not wish to be unreasonable.

“If the defendants are willing to give undertakings not to dispose of or otherwise deal with the property, and to affect its value, we’re happy not to proceed today.”

Jon Lister, for Disorganized Developments, said his client was prepared to give the undertakings but would fight to keep Ponde.

“The owners of the property may well be entirely innocent in relation to what’s occurred in the (murder) matter,” he said.

“The question of whether this property is an instrument of the offence is an open one.”

Justice Trish Kelly imposed the suppression orders and set the application down for hearing next month.

Originally published as Prosecutors apply to seize Hells Angels’ Ponde stronghold as a criminal asset in landmark court action