Tougher laws need as bikies build numbers across SEQ says ex top cop

A former top cop warns a resurgence of bikie gangs, fuelled by weakened laws, threatens to ignite a turf war on the Gold Coast. Read his take on why a battle looms between rival groups

A former Gold Coast top cop tasked with running criminal gangs out of the city says tougher laws are needed to combat a resurgence of bikies.

The comments by former Chief Superintendent Jim Keogh comes as the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang establishes new chapters in Logan City and Bay Side, east of Brisbane, as part of its aggressive expansion across the Southeast.

“Strong legislative backing and resources is how the war was won on the bikies post Broadbeach riot,” Mr Keogh said.

“There was a softening of the laws under the previous (Labor) government. They weren’t worth the paper they were written on.”

The veteran Queensland cop led the fightback against outlaw motorcycle gangs in the aftermath of the unprecedented brawl involving the Bandidos at Broadbeach in 2013.

The Mongols' new Bay Side chapter was established east of Brisbane within the past few weeks. Pictures: Supplied.

Mr Keogh said he “isn’t surprised” the gangs are back on the rise.

“The Mongols are working to develop the northern end of the Gold Coast but I don’t think the Lone Wolves, Black Uhlans and Bandidos are going to sit idle and watch this unfold,” he said.

“You have to get on top of this rapidly or we could be heading down a path of more bikie warfare.”

According to police sources, the Black Uhlans have maintained a low profile, and small presence at Burleigh – but they’re not to be underestimated. The club maintains an association with the Lone Wolves, who remain dominant players on the Southern Gold Coast, and would likely come to their aid if a rival gang encroached on the Uhlans territory.

“The Taskforce Maxima squad are feeling the frustration of what’s going on,” Mr Keogh said.

“They don’t have the laws to be effective in squashing the gangs and they really don’t have the numbers of police.”

The Lone Wolves OMCG have a strong presence on the Southern Gold Coast and in Northern NSW with key members Garry James Brush (left) and violent criminal James Desmond Murphy (centre). Pictures: Supplied.

Last year the Bulletin published a leaked internal police email sent to officers within the organised crime gangs group which appeared to discourage them from actively targeting Gold Coast bikies for consorting and breaching bail.

“The logs showed that consorting offences resulted in full briefs of evidence that chewed up a lot of our time,” the senior officer writes in the email.

“There were some successful challenges (by the bikies). A similar result for breaches of bail.”

The officer then goes on to raise concern that officers have spent “a lot” of time patrolling licensed venues on weekends for “no results”.

“No arrests, street checks or intel gained,” the officer said.

Just as the revelations surfaced, the Queensland Police Service launched Operation Whiskey Rebound to investigate allegations of gang recruitment by Comanchero members and associations. The police action resulted in the arrests of 15 people on more than 50 charges following a series of raids.

Originally published as Tougher laws need as bikies build numbers across SEQ says ex top cop