Police have dismantled several outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) clubhouses and seized drugs, cash and weapons, following ten raids in northern New South Wales today.
Strike Force Badim, comprising investigators from the Richmond Local Area Command Drug Unit was formed in 2014, primarily to investigate the supply of methylamphetamine (“Speed” & “Ice”) by OMCG gang members in the region.
About 6am (Tuesday 16 December 2014), Strike Force Badim officers with the assistance of the Dog Unit, Police Rescue Squad, Aviation Support Branch (PolAir), Tactical Operations Unit, Strike Force Raptor and investigators from neighbouring commands conducted ten simultaneous search warrants at premises in Ballina, Evans Head, Jacky Bulbin, Goonellabah, West Ballina, South Grafton, Taree and Alstonville.
Several alleged OMCG life-members and associates were present during these search warrants which lead to seven arrests.
Police will allege a 33-year-old man supplied a prohibited drug on a number of occasions from a residence in Grant Street, Ballina. He is also alleged to have knowingly dealt in the proceeds of crime as well as participate in a criminal group.
A 46-year-old man allegedly supplied a prohibited drug on a number of occasions from a residence in Evans Head. He also allegedly knowingly dealt in the proceeds of crime and participated in a criminal group.
A 28-year-old man from Jacky Bulbin also allegedly supplied a commercial quantity of prohibited drug as well as possessing prohibited and shortened firearms. He also allegedly participated in a criminal group.
A 25-year-old man from Goonellabah also allegedly supplied a prohibited drug.
A 32-year-old man and a 26-year-old man, both from Bangalow, were arrested yesterday (Monday 15 December 2014) in connection with these matters.
The 32-year-old man allegedly supplied a prohibited drug and possessed a number of prohibited and shortened firearms and the 26-year-old man allegedly possessed a number of prohibited and shortened firearms.
The search warrant undertaken at Jacky Bulbin Flat is still on-going.
The estimated potential street value of drugs seized during the investigation was over $400,000.
Several charges and bail determinations are still pending.
Richmond Local Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Cameron Lindsay, vowed to shut down the illegal activities of organised crime gangs operating in the region.
“These are not legitimate clubs but organised criminals who undertake illegal activities in contravention of state and council laws,” D/Insp Lindsay said.
“Those involved in running these illegal activities should hand themselves in, as it’s only a matter of time before we identify and arrest them.
“My officers and I are committed to ridding the area of organised crime and this operation sends a strong message that outlaw motorcycle gangs and their members are not welcome here,” D/Insp Lindsay said.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.
