Bikies shutting up shop to avoid police detection

The Comancheros have been through a turbulent period, but a challenger to the throne has been removed “long term’’. It comes as bikies abandon their clubhouses for secret locations.

Bikie gangs are closing their clubhouses in a bid to evade police attention.

The Saturday Herald Sun can reveal the powerful Comanchero bikie gang, which has had a recent influx of members after an unsettled period, is one of the major clubs moving away from the traditional bikie clubhouse.

Sources say meetings are taking place at undisclosed locations to avoid police raids and surveillance on clubhouses.

The Comancheros have about 60 members in Victoria and 30 more who are locked up in the state’s prisons.

National Anti-Gangs Squad Superintendent Jason McArthur told the Saturday Herald Sun the

powerful outlaw gangs were expanding while lesser known clubs were diminishing.

Comanchero Motorcycle Club President Mick Murray leads members out of Tooradin. Picture: Ian Currie

“The general trend is the bigger clubs are attracting more people and smaller clubs are losing members,’’ he said.

Several key current and former Comanchero members, such as Josh Faulkhead, have been in line for parole.

Comanchero national president Mick Murray, who is fighting a $14 million tax bill, remains in charge of the gang’s 500 members Australia-wide.

It can also be revealed the outfit, considered an organised crime entity, has expanded into Canada.

Its international membership includes chapters in New Zealand, Spain, Serbia, Russia and the US.

Murray, 43, has been the Comanchero’s supremo since taking over from former bikie boss Mark Buddle, who fled to Dubai in 2016.

Buddle remains an active member and encrypted messages revealed earlier this year he is heading up a mafia-style “Commission’’ to tax all drug importations smuggled through Sydney’s docks.

Mick Murray. Picture: Ian Currie

Hasan Topal.

But it is understood the “Commission’’ is spreading Australia-wide.

Although Buddle has declared himself as head of “The Commission’’ the Saturday Herald Sun understands Murray is a powerful player.

Recent reports say the price of cocaine and ice in Sydney has risen because of the mafia-style tax.

The alleged tax ranges from $5000 up to $50,000 depending on the importer and their links with the Comancheros.

Murray was front and centre at the club’s Easter national “run’’ from Hallam to Tooradin in April.

The bikie convoy included members from Perth, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, NSW Central Coast, Adelaide and Melbourne.

Murray’s state and national Sergeants at Arms, Christian Taumoefolau and Tarek Zahed, flanked him on the ride.

The Comancheros went through a turbulent period following a brawl between members in Canberra and the jailing of Mick Murray for most of 2018.

Former male model Hasan Topal, who was touted to have been in charge while Murray was in prison, has since headed overseas.

His absence is suspected to be “long term’’.

Police search a Comancheros clubhouse.

Other Comancheros have been booted overseas on a one-way ticket.

More than 20 members have been deported from Australia, including Pasilika Naufah.

The “charismatic’’ Naufahu is currently serving 10 years jail for money laundering and conspiring to supply drugs.

It also has been confirmed underworld figure Jay Malkoun is no longer a member of the Comancheros.

Superintendent Jason McArthur said the violence dealt out by outlaw motorcycle gangs members — including drive-by shootings — put the community and their own families at risk.

“The National Anti-Gangs Squad works closely with other police agencies and we have a vast range of tools to target these gangs and disrupt their activities,’’ he said.

“Everything we use against organised crime we use against these gangs.

“Criminals learn and try and adapt to commit crimes and not get caught and we try to counter that.

“It’s a cat-mouse game.’’