Former bikie boss Jay Malkoun returns to Melbourne
He was once top dog of the feared Comanchero bikie gang, but a lot has changed since Jay Malkoun was last in Melbourne, while mystery surrounds the reason for his return.
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Gangland figure and former Comanchero bikie boss Jay Malkoun has made a return to Melbourne.
Malkoun – once the Victorian supremo of the feared bikie gang – recently spent about a week in a CBD apartment with a burly man, believed to be a minder.
The influential underworld figure arrived back in Australia in March after an absence of seven years and is basing himself interstate.
He appeared in good health on his trip, although his right leg is still in a medical brace and he uses crutches, the legacy of a car-bomb attempt on his life.
It is unclear why he was in Melbourne.
The Herald Sun has been told Malkoun and his associates remain people of interest to law enforcement authorities.
They are interested in how the outlaw motorcycle gang sector and other elements of organised crime intend to move forward after the COVID-19 crisis eases.
Although he has spent most of the past decade abroad, Malkoun is said to have kept a keen interest in Comanchero affairs in his old hometown during his time away.
There have been rumblings that he may be considering a move to the rival Mongols gang.
That outfit last year absorbed, or “patched-over”, Comanchero members in Russia, where Malkoun had for years had interests.
There have been suggestions the Mongols are looking at a similar takeover here.
Some elements of the Comanchero are believed to have become disaffected with the gang’s leadership in recent years.
Malkoun spent many years in Melbourne before leaving Australia in 2013 for stints in Dubai and Greece.
In February last year, he suffered horrendous injuries when his car exploded as he climbed into it after a gym session in an affluent section of the Greek capital of Athens.
A lot has changed since Malkoun headed overseas.
Mick Murray took over the gang’s leadership after his departure and police said two years ago that he and Malkoun were at odds, leading to a split in the ranks.
It has been a period of instability for the Comancheros.
Some key members have been locked up in the past couple of years on high-level charges and there has been some discord between the Victorian and New South Wales memberships.
Others have been deported to New Zealand where, police say, they have caused chaos in recent years.
Murray ally Hasan Topal is believed to have headed overseas and a close ally of his and Murray, the feared triggerman Nabil Maghnie, was shot dead in January at Epping.
Maghnie’s activities had helped bring the Comancher’s activities into sharp focus in recent years.
He had been implicated in a number of homicides and many non-fatal shootings.
There have been other pockets of drama within the state’s OMCG scene in recent times.
The Mongols have been at odds with the Finks, leading to a number of non-fatal shootings and drive-by attacks.
The violent Rock Machine, which came from Canada and is established several other Australian states, wants a piece of the action in Victoria.
The Rebels, the club with the most members, have also continued with their expansion.
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