Federal police reveals extensive bikie crackdown across Australia

Dozens of bikies and their associates have been arrested, after police allegedly found sawn-off guns, luxury cars and hordes of drugs.

Dozens of bikies were arrested and nearly 100 firearms were seized last financial year as part of a nationwide crackdown.

Among the deadly arsenal, the AFP’s anti-gangs squad found military-grade automatic weapons, sawn off shotguns, loaded handguns and firearm parts.

Some weapons were found hidden in wall cavities and storage containers, while others were “loaded and easily accessible” in cars and homes.

Detective superintendent Anthony Conway said the weapons often put innocent people at risk.

“Outlaw motorcycle gangs will use firearms to commit violent acts, as well as to intimidate rivals to protect their criminal interests. Even when they are targeting each other, their access to these weapons puts innocent people at risk,” he said.

The AFP and their associates have charged 66 bikies and associates with 124 different charges. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“They have callous disregard for the lives of others. That is why the NAGS team are focused on seizing illicit firearms and disrupting their criminal businesses however we can.

“OMCGs have evolved into violent criminal networks that pose a significant threat to Australia’s economy, our national security and our way of life, and these gangs are not restricted by state or national borders.”

The 66 outlaw motorcycle gang members and associates were charged with 124 different charges.

Police also found $2.3 million in cash, luxury cars, motorbikes and gold bullion which they suspect are illicit assets.

Among their raids, police allegedly found a sawn-off shotgun, $148,000 cash and one kilogram of methamphetamines on the kitchen bench at the home of a bikie associate in southern Perth in June.

In Sydney, police allegedly found a gold Harley Davidson motorcycle and three luxury vehicles – including a $900,000 Ferrari, as well as gold bullion, jewellery and about $20,000 in cash as part of a drug trafficking investigation in March with alleged links to Tasmania.

The NACGs team, made up of police and various other agencies, say they will continue to crack down on bikies and their gangs.

“We have seen too often the violence on our streets by gangs fighting over territory or power – and too many cases of innocent people being caught in the crossfire,” Detective Conway said.