Police smash alleged emerging Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang chapter in Cairns
Smashing down doors and ripping down fences to execute search warrants at homes across the city, Far North police have issued a clear warning to members and associates of an emerging chapter of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang. WATCH THE FOOTAGE:
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Smashing down doors and ripping down fences to execute search warrants at homes across the city, Far North police have issued a clear warning to members and associates of an emerging chapter of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang.
As part of a two-month long operation, detectives have arrested and charged seven people they allege were either members or associates of the global motorcycle gang and organised crime network.
And one of the region’s senior police officers has warned the crackdown won’t stop there.
Detective Inspector Mick Searle said the head of the region’s Major Organised Crime Squad would continue the investigations into the Mongols, and action would be taken against them as threats to the community were identified.
“And if that means driving this group out of Cairns – then that’s what we’ll be striving to do,” Det Insp Searle said.
Police said Operation Victor Jenga commenced in August 2023, to disrupt, gather intelligence and conduct enforcement actions on the emerging Cairns City chapter of the Mongols.
Officers from the Major and Organised Crime Squad (Far Northern), Organised Crime Gangs Group and Taskforce Maxima, supported by Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch and Far North District Tactical Crime Squad, conducted multiple raids at properties in Smithfield, Kewarra Beach, Mooroobool, Redlynch, Holloways Beach, and Edmonton, on Thursday, October 26.
In total, seven people have been charged with 17 offences including assault occasioning bodily harm, drug and weapons offences.
They will all appear in court at various dates over the coming weeks.
The raids follow several targeted vehicle intercepts on October 18, where detectives identified seven alleged Mongols members and issued five notices to appear for drug driving and possession of dangerous drugs, namely steroids.
Det Insp Searle said the Mongols chapter was probably established in Cairns prior to the start of the August operation.
“Without going into the intricacies of their business model, like any group that’s trying to expand its presence they’ll lay some groundwork with established members and start a recruiting phase from them,” Det Insp Searle said.
“Unfortunately there’s members of the community that are drawn to that type of lifestyle and from there we conduct our investigations.”
He said that on top of the social and crime issues police were already combating in Cairns, the city didn’t need the extra potential for the drugs, violence, and other types of crime that bikie gangs were known for.
In recent years, Cairns has generally remained the territory of the Rebels.
Mark Lauchs, an Associate Professor in the School of Justice at Queensland University of Technology has previously described the Rebels, and particularly those who resided in Cairns, as “old school” in both style and substance – as opposed to the newer, designed-clad, younger bikies who had “hung out in VIP areas in nightclubs” or wore $1800 Versace bathrobes in club colours like Comanchero boss Allan Meehan.
He also stressed that “90 per cent of bikies wouldn’t even have a traffic offence to their name” and were “law-abiding family men”.
Det Insp Searle said police would be keeping an eye out for other groups, such as the Rebels.
When asked if there was any risk of conflict between the two groups, he said police had seen no overt indication of any sort of violence going on, and that they were always mindful of the potential.
“Traditionally in the past these groups have been quite territorial about areas in which they set up chapters,” he said.
“But it’s something we’re always very mindful of and very watchful for.”
Acting Detective Inspector Mark Andrews said detectives would continue to come down hard on this emerging chapter of the Mongols in Cairns.
“Our message is clear, if you are a member of or if you associate with organised crime groups such as the Mongols OMCG, you will be targeted,” Inspector Andrews said.
“This day of action is only one part of the dedicated and targeted action by the Organised Crime Gangs Group, Major and Organised Crime Squads and Taskforce Maxima, and it will continue.”
A 37-year-old Kewarra Beach man has been charged with one count each of possession dangerous drug (cocaine and steroids) and possess weapon.
He is expected to appear at Cairns Magistrates Court on November 17.
A 30-year-old Manunda man has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, contravene Magistrates direction (s205A Criminal Code) and unlicensed driving.
He is expected to appear at Cairns Magistrates Court on November 10.
A 34-year-old Kewarra Beach man has been charged with wear prohibited item (Mongols clothing) in public place, contravene Magistrates direction (s205A Criminal Code) and drug driving. He is expected to appear at Cairns Magistrates Court on November 17.
A 35-year-old Brinsmead man has been charged with multiple drug offences, contravene Magistrates direction (s205A Criminal Code) and drug driving.
He is expected to appear at Cairns Magistrates Court on November 10.
A 29-year-old Edmonton man has been charged with possess weapon, contravene Magistrates direction (s205A Criminal Code) and drug driving.
He is expected to appear at Cairns Magistrates Court on December 1.
A 28-year-old Kewarra Beach man has been charged with drug driving is expected to appear at Caboolture Magistrates Court on January 16.
A 34-year-old Redlynch man has been charged with drug driving and is expected to appear at Cairns Magistrates Court on December 16.
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