National police operation cracks down on Hells Angels bikies

An international, multi-agency operation has resulted in members arrested and weapons and drugs seized as police target outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Hells Angels Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs have been targeted in an international operation on Wednesday, which has disrupted bikie activity and resulted in mass arrests and seizures.

Law enforcement agencies joined forces under the codename Operation Morpheus.

In a herculean effort, all Australian state and territory police and New Zealand Police teamed up, along with Australian Federal Police Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Defence Force, Australian Border Force, AUSTRAC, and Australian Taxation Office and Services Australia.

Together they targeted the “highest threat outlaw motorcycle gangs” which were impacting Australia and New Zealand.

Operation Morpheus in a single day successfully arrested 23 people – involving 60 charges – and seized firearms, weapons, various drugs, illicit cigarettes and tobacco products and in excess of $48,000 in cash.

In South Australia, authorities also completed in-custody cell searches for contraband, and conducted compliance checks relating to bail, parole and firearms possession.

SA Police Detective Superintendent Shane Addison said they recognised the risk and serious harm Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs cause to the community. Picture: Stephen Laffer

SA Police’s officer-in-charge of Serious and Organised Crime Branch Detective Superintendent Shane Addison said they understood the impact of bikies on the state.

“SA Police recognises the risk and serious harm to the community caused by significant and violent criminal activity undertaken by and associated with Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs,” he said.

“SAPOL is committed to reducing this threat to community safety and will relentlessly pursue members and associates of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs who seek to profit from violence and all forms of illicit criminal activities.

“The National Day of Action activities have focused on disrupting those Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs members who pose the greatest risk to the community.”

Hells Angels members. Picture: Jono Searle.

The national proactive measure also resulted in gathering significant intelligence relating to gang membership and associates, locations and other gang related premises.

Meanwhile, identified criminal assets and unexplained wealth of key Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs members will be investigated while leveraging the shared capabilities of authorities.

Operation Morpheus sends the message to bikie members, police said.

“It doesn’t matter if you are at freedom or in custody you will be targeted for criminal related activity, be that personal or club related business,” police said.

“Put simply it doesn’t pay to be a member of an Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs or any criminal gang.”

Police believe the intelligence will aid them in developing a national strategy to deter gang recruitment, reduce membership and target recidivism and enablers to organised crime.

Originally published as National police operation cracks down on Hells Angels bikies