More charges expected as national police taskforce targets Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang in Tasmania

POLICE expect to lay more charges in the wake of a major crackdown on the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang in Tasmania.

Tasmania Police Detective-Inspector Glenn Lathey says the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang is a criminal gang, not a harmless co...

POLICE expect to lay more charges in the wake of a major crackdown on the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang in Tasmania.

Two members of Hobart’s Eastern Shore chapter of the Rebels were charged with trafficking drugs worth nearly $250,000 as the result of an investigation that has already been in progress for three months.

A 26-year-old Warrane man arrested on Tuesday and a 24-year-old Blackmans Bay man arrested yesterday were charged with trafficking a quantity of amphetamine and cannabis that had been imported into Australia.

Detective-Inspector Glenn Lathey, of Southern Drug Investigation Services, said the arrests were the result of a joint operation with Australian Federal Police, and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

He said police would allege the amphetamine, with a value of $234,000, and cocaine with a value of $10,000, was imported and distributed within Tasmania.

The men were bailed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court at a later date.

“Police would like to stress that the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang are a criminal gang and they are not a harmless community club,’’ Insp Lathey said.

“The Attero national police task force was established two years ago with the aim of disrupting and dismantling the Rebels and other motorcycle gangs.

A joint-agency taskforce has been formed to dismantle the Rebels and other motorcycle gangs. Picture: AAP

“The Rebels are a well-organised criminal gang and are involved in drug trafficking and this is another example.’’

A leading criminologist had warned that outlaw motorcycle gang members could head to Tasmania to flee Queensland’s tough anti-bikie laws.

Queensland criminologist and bikie expert Dr Terry Goldsworthy said bikies regarded Tasmania as a safer option because of its relatively lenient laws.

Insp Lathey said the Attero taskforce had charged more than 500 people Australia-wide and laid more than 700 charges — including serious assaults, firearms and drugs charges — since it was established.

The taskforce comprises all state and territory police forces, the Australian Crime Commission, Australian Federal Police and the Australian Customs and Border Protection.

The latest charges follow the jailing last year of a former state president of the Rebels.

Colin David Picard, 67, of the Launceston suburb of Ravenswood, was sentenced to three years’ jail for trafficking in $504,000 worth of methylamphetamine.

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Estcourt said Picard’s was a large-scale drug trafficking operation not often seen in Tasmania.

Picard pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking 36 ounces of methylamphetamine, also known as speed, between November 1, 2010, and July 5, 2011.

His was arrested after a police operation, code-named Operation Dorothy, used phone intercept powers and twice intercepted Picard delivering drugs near Perth on the Midland Highway.

Some of the drug was sold from the Rebels clubhouse in Merino St, Launceston.

The court heard that Rebels members spoke in code on the phone, with one message saying: “Painting inside today please send down help.’’

It is understood the latest arrests came as a result of a separate investigation and involved different personnel.