Mongols bikie gang members arrested in raids in Victoria’s north

Members of the notorious Mongols bikies gang are facing charges after police raided multiple properties in Victoria’s north and seized drugs, a gun and a “significant quantity of cash”.

Nine people have been arrested in a major police investigation into alleged cross-border drug trafficking and manufacturing by the Mongols bikie gang.

Members of the OMCG, including a local sergeant-at-arms, are among the seven people charged in an operation by the Echo taskforce in Victoria’s north.

Drugs, cash and a gun were seized as part of the inquiry, centred on the Murray River town of Cobram.

A 51-year-old Cobram man was arrested on Sunday morning on the Barooga-Cobram Bridge after returning to Victoria from New South Wales.

Police arrested nine people in raids that were focused on alleged cross-border drug trafficking and manufacturing.

A loaded gun and what police described as a “significant quantity of cash” were found in his car.

Detectives then executed 12 search warrants in the early hours of today at homes and businesses in Cobram.

The Mongols clubhouse at Echuca, 100km west along the Murray, was also raided.

Police said they seized:

• About 2.5kg of cocaine and 1kg of methamphetamine and GHB.
• A loaded handgun and ammunition.
• Cash and a cash counter;
• Vehicles, including a Range Rover, a Holden Commodore, a Holden ute and a motorcycle.
• Illegal fireworks, designer clothing, handbags, watches, jewellery and computer equipment.

The operation involved members of Echo Taskforce, the armed crime squad, the vehicle crime squad, Cobram CIU, the eastern and western region crime squads, and the AFP national anti gang squad (NAGS).

A 29-year-old Cobram man, who is allegedly a sergeant-at-arms, was remanded to face Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on Monday on charges of trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs and possessing a firearm-related item while subject to a firearm prohibition order.

There were 12 properties searched in Cobram.

The Mongols were described as a dangerous gang.

The Cobram man intercepted on the bridge has been charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs, possessing the proceeds of crime and possessing a handgun and will also front court in Shepparton on Monday.

An 18-year-old Cobram woman was also charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of drugs.

Two men and two women aged 25 – 30 from Cobram will face drug charges in court in December.

A further two Cobram men, aged 27 and 49, were released pending further inquiries.

Assistant Commissioner Bob Hill said the Mongols are a dangerous gang with growing influence in the regions.

“The Mongols are a group we know have traditionally been involved in violent crimes such as shootings, assaults, arson, drug trafficking, extortion and intimidation,” Mr Hill said.

“These activities bring immense harm to communities across Australia and often significantly impact innocent people who have no links to the OMCG.

“The warrants also highlight the reach that these organised crime groups have across the state – this is the heart of country Victoria, not the suburbs of Melbourne, and is a reminder of the harm they are prepared to cause anywhere they see an opportunity.”

Mr Hill warned police will do everything in their power to take down organised crime gangs.

“Regardless of where you operate, criminal organisations such as the Mongols will be held accountable for their criminal actions and police will actively work to disrupt their activities,” he said.

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