Operation Ironside: Police reveal details of second alleged foiled bikie murder plot

Senior police have revealed a second alleged murder plot by Comanchero bikies – in which they went to the wrong house – was foiled in a huge sting operation.

Police have revealed a second alleged planned murder in suburban Adelaide was thwarted during the massive sting operation dubbed Ironside.

Police allege that in addition to the plot by Comanchero bikies to gun down a suspected police informant at Norwood last November, gang members are believed to have also conspired to murder another man at Rosslyn Park.

Assistant Commissioner (Crime) Peter Harvey said on Wednesday police will allege three individuals had attended the suburban house on two occasions last month to murder an unnamed target – but unbeknown to them they had the wrong address.

“They attended to murder the occupant,’’ he said.

Peter Harvey in front of a screen showing the machinegun in action at a press conference on Wednesday. Picture: Mike Burton

“We prevented the murder on the first occasion and then on the second occasion, when a male was arrested in a nearby yard, located near him was a mask and gloves.

“When we searched the next day, (there was) also a fully loaded pistol. The intention was to kill the occupant, just like the previous lot there were petrol containers and stolen vehicles involved.

“Most disturbingly, the intended murder victim did not even live at the address.”

Mr Harvey claimed the Owen gun to be used in the planned Norwood hit had “no other purpose than to kill people” and one of several automatic firearms among the 30 seized during the operation.

“The potential for extreme violence by this criminal group, the Comanchero and their associates, was extreme,’’ he said.

“It is the same for all OMCGs despite propaganda on their part, they are criminals.’’

Mr Harvey also revealed detectives had seized 315 electronic devices – mobile phones and laptops – used by those arrested on Monday’s raids and were now examining them.

“This is where the works starts … this is ongoing, day one of the rest of this job,’’ he said.

He praised AFP commanders for the level of co-operation between both agencies during the lengthy operation.

AFP Commander Erica Mirren said SA was “a safer place’’ as a result of the operation.

“Operation Ironside has resulted in the arrest and charging of people who we allege are some of the most dangerous criminals in Australia,’’ she said.

AFP Commander Erica Merrin at SA Police Headquarters on Wednesday. Picture: Mike Burton

“We allege they are members of transnational serious organised crime groups with links to Europe and links to OMCGs.

“We allege they have been trafficking illicit drugs into and across Australian at an industrial scale.

“We have arrested the alleged directing entities behind these crimes, prevented acts of violence in suburbs and frustrated criminals by seizing their ill-gotten wealth.’’

Commander Mirren said Operation Ironside had been covert for three years and police had been arresting and charging alleged offenders.

During that period AFP officers had arrested 22 men on charges ranging from importing and trafficking methamphetamines and cocaine and transporting millions of dollars in cash interstate.

It will be alleged they are members of a transnational crime group linked to Europe.

“The AN0M platform has given law enforcement a window into a level of criminality that we have never seen before on this scale,’’ she said.

Commander Mirren said the level of co-operation between agencies had been “unprecedented’’ and the operation had inflicted “maximum damage’’ on transnational crime groups.

“The joint operation caused mass disruption to the Comanchero OMCG, including the arrest of 73 people who are alleged to be South Australian members or associates,’’ she said.

“As of today we have charged a total of 95 people, shut down three clandestine laboratories, seized 30 firearms and almost $2 million in cash.

“The AFP has a message for organised crime, we will outsmart you and we will be a step ahead of you.’’

Originally published as Operation Ironside: Police reveal details of second alleged foiled bikie murder plot