Bikies in Tasmania: Who’s who in the bikie underworld revealed
From an ex-Rebels bikies boss who married the woman who kept a hillside vigil outside Risdon Prison to a large-scale drug trafficker booted out of the state, these are the high-ranking men of Tasmania’s outlaw motorcycle clubs.
Police & Courts
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THERE are about 40 outlaw motorcycle gangs in Australia and Tasmania is home to six organisations across the state.
They are: Bandidos, Rebels, Devil’s Henchmen, Outlaws, Nomads and Black Uhlans.
Detective Inspector Damien George said Tasmania Police had identified about 274 members across Tasmania.
“We have a pretty significant presence per head of population of OMCG members in Tasmania — which is a concern,” he said in a special interview with the Mercury.
READ MORE: Tasmania Police and Australian Federal Police pull back the curtain in war against OMCGs
Take a look inside the world of some of Tasmania’s most notorious outlaw motorcycle gang figures and incidents over the years.
Colin Picard
Rebels Launceston chapter boss, former state president
The former state president of the Rebels motorcycle gang was sentenced to three years’ jail for trafficking in $504,000 of methylamphetamine in 2013.
In sentencing, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Estcourt said it was a large-scale drug trafficking operation not often seen in Tasmania.
His arrest came after a police operation code-named Operation Dorothy in which police used phone intercept powers and twice intercepted Picard delivering drugs near Perth on the Midland Highway.
Crown prosecutor John Ransom told the court that the organised crime operation operated in the North, South and North-West of Tasmania.
“Picard was president of the Launceston chapter of the Rebels and he onsold to Rebels around the state and to members of the Outlaws motorcycle club,’’ he said.
Picard, 69, had his visa cancelled and was deported to New Zealand on character grounds after he spent several years in Risdon Prison for trafficking methamphetamine across the state.
Ryan Zmendak
Rebels associate
In 2014, Rebels associate Ryan Zmendak pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking ice and one count of conspiracy to commit the crime of trafficking. Zmendak was involved in the importation of two packages containing the drugs – with a street value of $7.4m – from the UK in 2014.
Nicholas Stebbins
Ex-Rebels member
In 2015, ex-Rebels member Nicholas Mark Stebbins, 27, was jailed for his role in a $10 million amphetamine, ecstasy and cocaine ring.
Aaron Joseph “AJ” Graham
Rebels member and Kingston chapter founder
A founding member of the Rebels’ Tasmanian chapter, Graham is now living in Auckland, having been deported to his birth country on character grounds in 2017.
Graham was sent packing after 18 months in immigration detention, despite successfully appealing against successive visa cancellations to the Federal and High courts.
Graham’s file includes a 2009 incident when he was jailed for the torture of a 19-year-old insurance investigator.
In 2011, AJ wed the woman who kept a hillside vigil outside Risdon Prison during his last stint in jail.
Shaun Kelly
Tasmanian Rebels Motorcycle Gang president
The Tasmanian Rebels motorbike gang boss in January 2020 successfully fought off allegations he sped away from police on a Harley Davidson in a “puff of smoke”.
In 2015, he rejected police claims that Rebels were involved with the drug ice and challenged Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Donna Adams to a debate on radio.
“It states clearly in our constitution members are not to have anything to do with ice,” Mr Kelly told The Examiner.
“We refuse to have anything to do with it.
“We are totally sick of being branded with this insidious drug.
“Ice is … going to ruin the country.”
Assistant Commissioner Adams stood by her comments that the Rebels in Tasmania were linked to the importation and distribution of drugs.
“OMCGs are not motorcycle clubs, they are well organised criminal gangs causing harm and disruption across our country,” she told The Examiner.
“In Tasmania, the Rebels OMCG is the most significant, in terms of criminal intelligence and related activity.”
Major incidents
2013
● Overnight siege at a Kingston home following an altercation between some Rebels members and the occupants of the address, with shots fired near the home and on the street.
● Several senior leaders of the Rebels’ Launceston chapter, including state president Colin Picard, jailed for trafficking more than $500,000 worth of methamphetamine.
2014
● In July, a joint law enforcement operation disrupted a significant importation syndicate, leading to the largest drug seizure in Tasmania’s recorded history – 4kg of high-grade methamphetamine was intercepted in Tasmania, with an additional 4kg seized in Queensland, destined for Tasmania. Rebels members were charged in both states.
2015
● In June, police raids conducted on premises linked to the Rebels resulted in 14 arrests and 100 charges. Police seized more than $200,000 in cash, 120g of the drug ice worth $120,000, 1.7kg of cannabis worth $18,000, and 133 ecstasy tablets worth $6500.
2016
● In September, a combined federal and state police task force seized ice, cash and stolen goods from a fortified residence linked to the Bandidos Devonport support chapter.
2017
● In March, Rebels associate Ryan Zmendak pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking ice and one count of conspiracy to commit the crime of trafficking. Zmendak was involved in the importation of two packages containing the drugs – with a street value of $7.4m – from the UK in 2014.
● In October, the Rebels decided on Tasmania for the location of their national run, leading to about 300 members gathering in the state. Illicit drugs and weapons were seized from some members, while others also returned positive drug tests while driving.
● During the run, Tasmania Police believe a person received significant life-threatening injuries at the Rebels’ Hobart clubhouse.
● At the conclusion of the Rebels run, a commercial flight departing Hobart was significantly delayed after members of the Rebels were removed after intimidating cabin crew.
● In October, Rebels member and Kingston chapter founder AJ Graham was deported to New Zealand on character grounds. Graham’s file includes a 2009 incident when he was jailed for the torture of a 19-year-old insurance investigator.
● The Bandidos club moved to hold its annual “run” in Tasmania.
● Prior to the run, members of the Bandidos Mersey chapter attended a pro-boxing event at the Devonport Basketball Stadium that was also attended by members of the Outlaws Devonport chapter. Information provided to police indicated the Outlaws intended to protect “their turf” and were prepared to resort to violence to do so, but a strong police presence prevented the situation from escalating.
● The Bandidos run took place, with 233 members arriving from mainland jurisdictions. The run coincided with a new chapter being established in Hobart.
2018
● In April, a member of the Bandidos Mersey River chapter was charged following a search of the clubhouse. The 28-year-old was charged with trespass, assault, evade, minor driving offences, drug offences, proceeds of crime and firearm offences, as well as Supreme Court bail breaches and offences related to his arrest.
● In December, the sergeant at arms of the Bandidos Mersey River chapter was charged with multiple serious offences following a major police investigation. He allegedly assaulted an Italian national, was intercepted in Penguin transporting a .22 rifle and ammunition, was believed to have evaded police at Wesley Vale, and assaulted a man with a tomahawk at Latrobe. Two other Bandidos members and three associates were charged with serious offences.
2019
● In October, a senior Outlaws member was charged with serious firearm offences following a major police operation. Police located an automatic weapon, a pistol, several other firearms, a large quantity of ammunition and explosives from several premises across northern Tasmania during the operation.
● In November, two Bandidos associates and a probationary Bandidos member were charged over an alleged kidnapping on the North-West Coast.
● In November, the Outlaws conducted a memorial run in Tasmania. Police seized three weapons and a number of members were issued with infringement notices for traffic offences. Tasmania Police enforced the new laws banning OMCG members from wearing club insignia.
2020
● In February, two Bandidos members were charged with stealing about $5000 worth of building materials, which police recovered from the Bandidos’ clubhouse.
● In May, two Outlaws members were charged with firearms offences. A 53-year-old man was charged following a vehicle intercept at West Moonah, where a search of the car and a residential address resulted in police finding a quantity of drugs and firearms.
● In June, Tasmania Police and the Australian Federal Police National Anti-Gang Squad conducted an operation at Dover, leading to the search of a home, business and several fishing vessels. The operation led to a number of arrests.
● In June, two Bandidos members were arrested over the seizure of more than 700g of methylamphetamine by police from the Spirit of Tasmania in December 2019. This followed on from the Dover raids.
● Two Bandidos Mersey chapter members were also charged following an alleged house invasion where two men assaulted and demanded money from a homeowner.
● President of the Bandidos Hobart chapter was charged with drug trafficking after being arrested in a joint operation between Tasmania Police and the AFP. He allegedly trafficked more than half a kilogram of methylamphetamine and 83g of cocaine, which was intercepted on the Spirit of Tasmania in December 2019.
● In August, two senior members of the Nomads were charged over two separate incidents. One man was charged with assault, and the other with drug offences after police allegedly found a cannabis grow room in Glenorchy.
Man, 44, allegedly had child abuse material on devices
Officers say a Riverside man has been arrested for allegedly possessing child exploitation material after a joint operation.
Everybody appearing at Hobart Magistrates Court, Wednesday, October 9
Here is a list of people appearing at Hobart Magistrates Court on October 9.