Chilling footage shows the moment heavily-armed Raptor cops raid an alleged illegal bikie clubhouse bar as elite officers in NSW and Victoria arrested more than two dozen alleged members of bikie gangs.
The shocking video was released as police from NSW and Victoria arrested 27 people and seized multiple firearms in a joint operation targeting bikie gangs on the state border.
Over four days, Rebels, Finks, Black Uhlans and Mongol bikie gangs have been hit by a series of raids and arrests around the Albury-Wodonga and Riverina regions by NSW Raptor Squad and Victoria’s Operation Viper.
Police in NSW seized three guns and made 19 arrests while Victoria police found nine prohibited weapons including a firearm and arrested eight people.
Warrants were also executed at premises linked to both the Black Uhlans, Mongols and Rebels gangs which uncovered alleged illicit clubhouse-style bars.
Police from NSW and Victoria arrested 27 people and seized multiple firearms in a joint operation targeting bikie gangs on the state border
Rebels, Finks, Black Uhlans and Mongol bikie gangs have been hit by a series of raids and arrests around the Albury-Wodonga and Riverina regions by NSW Raptor Squad and Victoria’s Operation Viper
Warrants were also executed at premises linked to both the Black Uhlans, Mongols and Rebels gangs which uncovered alleged illicit clubhouse-style bars
The upmarket bar-styled clubhouse of the Black Uhlans featured a Nazi swastika clock over photographs of a bikie mounted around a chromed Harley-Davidson with custom paintwork.
Licensing police allegedly found documents listing alcohol prices at the Albury premises and are continuing to investigate.
Another alleged clubhouse in Gundagai, NSW, was decked out in Rebels colours and flags, with a cash register and fridges allegedly packed with booze.
A third clubhouse-style hangout and mechanics’ garage was discovered in a large shed at the rear of a Mongols-branded home raided by police.
Among the arrests was a 23-year-old man from the Murray River town of Echuca allegedly found in possession of two imitation handguns, an imitation longarm, shotgun shells, cannabis and prescription medication.
A second Echuca man, 31, was arrested after the discovery of a homemade shotgun, ammunition and an imitation handgun.
Officers also allegedly located a gel blaster, ammunition, Finks gang paraphernalia, electronic devices and a Harley-Davidson believed stolen, during a raid at Albury.
As a result, a 37-year-old man will face court accused of possessing an unauthorised and prohibited firearm and ammunition.
Raptor Squad officers also intercepted a convoy of Rebels bikers on the Hume Highway on Monday and served nine consorting warnings, six defect notices and issued eight traffic infringement notices.
Police in NSW seized three guns and made 19 arrests while Victoria police found nine prohibited weapons including a firearm and arrested eight people
Officers also allegedly located a gel blaster, ammunition, Finks gang paraphernalia, electronic devices and a Harley-Davidson believed stolen, during a raid at Albury
NSW State Crime Command’s Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Weinstein said the crackdown gave a greater insight into the interstate bikie footprint
NSW State Crime Command’s Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Weinstein said the crackdown gave a greater insight into the interstate bikie footprint.
‘Understanding the activities of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs in cross-border towns is integral to disrupting organised crime in our regions,’ he said.
‘Cross-border crime is ever present, with the attraction of the drug trade pushing organised criminal figures out of the city and into regional towns, believing they are safe and out of constant law enforcement attention.
‘That couldn’t be further from the truth – we will continue to roll out these cross-border operations to prevent, disrupt and respond to organised crime in our state.’
Victoria Police Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly said similar future operations involving the two police forces were on the drawing board.
‘There can be a perception that it is easier to hide in the country, he added. ‘That is simply not true.
Another alleged clubhouse in Gundagai, NSW, was decked out in Rebels colours and flags, with a cash register and fridges allegedly packed with booze
Raptor Squad officers also intercepted a convoy of Rebels bikers on the Hume Highway on Monday and served nine consorting warnings, six defect notices and issued eight traffic infringement notices
‘Make no mistake – this is a warning from the VIPER Taskforce, together with the Raptor Squad and our other partners.
‘If you are involved in organised criminal activity, you will be detected and you will be held accountable, irrespective of a state border.
‘It’s the first time we’ve worked together on an operation like this, but it certainly won’t be the last.’
The NSW Crime Commission and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission were also involved in the operation.
