Finks bikie Harley Derrick, linked with alleged Eltham extortion, fronts court

A Finks bikie is facing charges of firearms and possession of cocaine after an investigation into an alleged Eltham extortion racket.

Harley Derrick was among four Finks bikies arrested by detectives from the Echo Taskforce.

A Finks bikie claimed he kept a firearm without a licence for his safety after falling out with the outlaw motor cycle gang.

Harley Derrick, 34, pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to charges of possession of a firearm being a prohibited person, possession of ammunition, and possession of cocaine.

He will be sentenced on Friday.

Derrick was one of four bikies arrested in July last year over an Echo taskforce investigation into an alleged Eltham extortion racket.

The men are alleged to have turned up in Finks gear and threatened to burn down his Main Rd convenience store if he did not close.

Harley Derrick was arrested by Detectives from the Echo Taskforc and charged with firearms offences and possession of cocaine.

Members of the VIPER taskforce carried out early morning search warrants at homes in Dallas, Docklands, Wallan, Ascot Vale and Langwarrin, as well as at a Brunswick East clubhouse.

A handgun, ammunition and a “significant quantity of cash” were seized from the Ascot Vale address.

In court on Wednesday, the prosecution opposed Derrick’s application for the matter to be dealt with by the Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Francesca Holmes submitted it may be open for a higher court to impose a sentence of more than two years on the firearm charge.

However, lawyers for Derrick argued the matter should remain in the magistrates’ court, saying he kept the firearm for his own safety after falling out with Finks OMCG.

The firearm was not taken from his house, the lawyer said.

Magistrate Brett Sonnet said if the firearm was used in connection with other offending, the court would decline jurisdiction but that was not the case with Derrick.

He declined jurisdiction but said Derrick must not have any connection with firearms or he was likely to face serious charges.

Mr Sonnet ordered Derrick be assessed for a community corrections order but indicated he would receive at least 12 months imprisonment.

The question, he said, would be how that sentence would be structured.