Tough new anti-gang powers have led to the raid of a hidden Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Club in Brisbane.
A warrant was carried out at a property on Gympie Road in Lawnton to search for prohibited items, where police soon established the premises was being used as a gang club house.
This is the first time search powers relating to ‘disorderly activities’ as defined in the Peace and Good Behaviour Act have been executed in a new effort to target organised crime gangs operating in Queensland.
Tough new anti-gang powers and search warrants have led to the raid of a hidden Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Club in Brisbane (pictured)
A warrant was carried out at a property on Gympie Road in Lawnton to search for prohibited items, where police soon established the premises was being used as a club house
Officers from Taskforce Maxima seized items from the club house and detained club members about 7.40pm on Friday
The premises ‘was indeed operating as a club house … in a shed at a location that was supposed to have been an industrial premises used for car repairs,’ Police Minister Mark Ryan said in a statement.
A pool table, Rebels paraphernalia such as flags, vests and belts, an entertainment system, lighting system, band equipment, a cash register, and a large quantity of liquor with a drinks price list were seized.
Ten people were detained including nine patched bikie members and two members who were wearing Rebels vests which were also seized.
Around 7.40pm on Friday officers from Taskforce Maxima (pictured) seized items from the club house and detained club members
Ten people were detained including nine patched bikie members and two members who were wearing Rebels vests which were also seized
Minister Ryan credited the new search powers granted to police by the Palaszczuk Government last year in executing the raid.
Rebels paraphernalia, an entertainment system, lighting system, band equipment were seized in the raid
‘New powers to issue Public Safety Orders were also used by officers for the first time,’ he said.
‘Each of the nine patched members of the Rebels OMCG who were in the shed at the time police arrived were issued with one.’
The Public Safety Orders were issued under the Peace and Good Behaviour Act and under the assumption that the members posed a serious risk to public safety and security.
The order also means the nine members are prevented from remaining or entering the premises until May 28.
A pool table (pictured), Rebels paraphernalia such as flags, vests and belts, an entertainment system, lighting system, band equipment, a cash register, and liquor were seized
Minister Ryan credited the new search powers granted to police by the Palaszczuk Government last year in executing the raid
Police will provide the evidence as part of a restricted premises application to the Brisbane Magistrates Court to have the location declared a restricted premises.
The Organised Crime Gangs Group’s Operations Commander, Detective Superintendent Roger Lowe, said Taskforce Maxima would continue to target OMCGs
‘Let this be a warning to any and all OMCG members across Queensland that we will not hesitate to use every legal mechanism available to us to dismantle and disrupt organised crime gangs operating in this state,’ Detective Superintendent Lowe said.
‘This may be the first time we have used these new powers, but it will not be the last.
‘We will not tolerate OMCG members consorting or using a premises for criminal activity and will continue to target this kind of behaviour not just in Brisbane, but right across the state.’
The premises ‘was operating as a club house … in a shed at a location that was supposed to have been an industrial premises used for car repairs,’ (pictured) Minister Ryan said
Police will provide the evidence as part of a restricted premises application to the Brisbane Magistrates Court to have the location (pictured) declared a restricted premises