Victoria Police arrest three bikies as part of a concerted effort to quell Bandido activities

A patched member of the Bandidos who allegedly threatened to kill police is among multiple bikies arrested in a series of raids in Melbourne’s southeast.

Three “patched” members of the Bandidos – one who is alleged to have threatened to kill police – have been arrested in what is emerging as a crackdown on a resurgence of the outlaw bikie gang.

Heavily armed police raided three properties in Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs of Lynbrook, Narre Warren and Hampton Park at 5am on Friday morning, a second blitz on the gang’s members in weeks.

Each raid by the Echo taskforce with the assistance of the VIPER taskforce was carried out under powerful Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) laws which allow police to search those slapped with a notice without a warrant.

Police located knuckle dusters and two knives during the searches, as well as varying quantities of what appears to be methylamphetamine, ecstasy, cannabis, and steroids.

The raids were carried out in response to a resurgence of the Bandidos outlaw bikie gang. Picture: David Caird

There has been a concerted effort to quell Bandido activities after a series of incidents this year including the bashing of their former president, Jason Addison, links to an arson in Mt Cleary near Ballarat, and five members being charged over blackmail allegations.

It is suspected the Victorian-arm of the gang is muscling-up again following the upheaval of a patch-over to the Mongols several years ago, particularly its Echuca branch, and key members, including former boss Will Wardley, leaving the club.

Last year the Herald Sun revealed NSW based Bandido “Big Tony” Vartiainen had taken over as national “El Presidente”.

But there has been talk the gang had slipped from its once feared status.

A decade ago, when notorious bikie Toby Mitchell was its national Sgt-at-Arms, they were viewed as powerful before fractures slowly appeared within the club.

Ex-Bandido bikie Toby Mitchell was national Sgt-at-Arms. Picture: AAP

The arrests in recent weeks, however, indicate “The Bandits” retain members and associates from a wide swathe of Victoria and remain among the big bikie gangs with the Comanchero, Hells Angels, Mongols, Rebels and Finks.

Extortion and debt-collection is a key element of their business model.

Among the trio to be raided on Friday was a 53-year-old Bandido member from Lynbrook – already subject to an FPO, who had allegedly made a threat to kill police.

On June 22, a Highway Patrol officer working in Forest Hill – in Melbourne’s east – intercepted the patched bikie after observing he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.

Investigators will allege he became verbally aggressive and subsequently made a threat to kill the members.

After being arrested the man was charged with making a threat to kill, steroid possession, cannabis possession and two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon.

He was bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on March 23 next year.

One of his Bandido “brothers”, a 28-year-old from Narre Warren, also got an early wake up call from police.

He was served with a FPO and interviewed for possessing a prohibited weapon.

The man is expected to be charged on summons.

In nearby Hampton Park, a 38-year-old was raided before being charged with possessing methylamphetamine and ecstasy.

He was also served with a FPO before being bailed to face Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on March 9, 2023.

Once issued, an FPO remains valid for 10 years for adults and five years for children.

Children are deemed to be aged between 14 and 17 years old.

During that time, anyone under an FPO is banned from acquiring, possessing, carrying or using any firearm or a related item, such as ammunition.

They are also banned from entering firearms dealers, shooting ranges or firearms clubs.

The penalties are also significant if an FPO is breached.

Those who breach an FPO can face 10 years jail for acquiring, possessing, carrying or using a firearm or firearm related item.

More than 1600 FPOs have been issued since they were introduced in May, 2018, by Victoria Police.

Echo taskforce Detective Acting Inspector Ash Ryan said the raids were “clear message” to organised crime groups that they could not hide.

Inspector Ryan added that FPOs were a powerful tool in holding “certain” individuals accountable when it came to the use of illicit firearms.

“They are an integral enforcement tool which provide police with specific powers to proactively respond to, disrupt, and prevent firearm-related crime,” Inspector Ryan said.

“FPOs are not issued only based on a person’s criminal history with firearms – they are being issued to those people we know have a significant history of serious violent crime or who are linked to serious and organised crime groups.

“We know these individuals have traditionally been involved in violent crimes such as shootings, assaults, arson, drug trafficking, extortion, and intimidation and we believe today’s actions will impact this criminal organisation’s ability to commit further offences of this nature.”

“Today’s enforcement sends a clear message to organised crime groups and their associates – you cannot hide. Police will use every power we have to prevent you from causing harm to our communities.”

Anyone with information about OMCG activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au