Bikies crackdown by NT Police leads to drug seizures, arrests

TERRITORY cops have cracked down on outlaw bikie gangs, with an operation in June and July resulting in a swag of arrests.

TERRITORY cops have cracked down on outlaw bikie gangs, with an operation in June and July resulting in a swag of arrests.

Operation Otto, which was run by the Drug and Organised Crime Squad, resulted in 17 arrests, 10 notices to appear and the seizure of drugs and $33,975 in cash.

Drug and Organised Crime Squad Detective Superintendent Kerry Hoskins said the unit was always across what bikies were up to.

It comes as the Australian Federal Police announced earlier this week they had been on a nationwide crackdown on Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs and their affiliates, who are aiding in criminal activities.

NT Police are cracking down on outlaw bikie gangs, with an operation in June and July resulting in a swag of arrests.

Detectives of the National Anti-Gangs Squad have noticed OMCG have changed the way they operate in a bid to skirt around authorities and pandemic restrictions.

Detective Acting Superintendent Jason McArthur said OMCGs had altered their illicit activities due to domestic and international border restrictions.

“We’ve observed the efforts of OMCG members attempting to adapt to the pandemic and avoid the attention of law enforcement,” he said.

“Together with our state and territory law enforcement partners we’ve remained one step ahead and increased our vigilance, while also making arrests from the bottom to the top of the packs.”

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In Darwin, an AFP cop works alongside the NT police to monitor the movements of outlaw motorcycle gangs based in the NT.

Supt Hoskins said there were low numbers of bikies in the NT, with the three main clubs being Hells Angels, Rebels and Bandidos.

She said there were also small numbers of Mongrel Mob, Mongols, Comanchero and Gypsy Jokers in the NT.

“Every now and again you will see people out, but they don’t really have an established presence, so we don’t see the same issues that you have interstate,” she said.

The results of Operation Otto, Supt Hoskins said, were small compared to interstate seizures, but were a testament to the continuous work undertaken by the unit to quash illegal activity undertaken by the gangs.

“Our intelligence is that they’ve got a handful of patched members and a few hangers on, but they aren’t as established as they are interstate,” she said.

She said over the previous 12 to 18 months a number of high profile bikies had been put behind bars or arrested, including Phil O’Shea, the sergeant-at-arms of the Hells Angels and Rebel president Lee Wiffen.

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In November last year, a 24-year-old New Zealand man who was a member of the Mongrel Mob was deported over his involvement with the outlaw motorcycle gang.

“As soon as they pop their head up we’re on them,” Supt Hoskins said.

“We never lose focus on the fact that they could take hold in the NT.

“We are on them as soon as they are detected and we are constantly monitoring them.”