Bandidos stung by late night raids as five bikies are accused of blackmailing terrified victim
- Victoria police arrested five members and associates of the Bandidos Tuesday
- The arrests were over alleged blackmail and threats
- Detectives conducted a series of late night raids in Melbourne and Geelong
- They arrested five members and associates and also found drugs and weapons
Five bikie gang members and associates from the Bandidos have been arrested in dramatic late-night raids over their alleged involvement in a blackmailing ring.
Detectives from the Echo Taskforce along with officers from the VIPER taskforce stormed properties in Melbourne and Geelong in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The raids were part of an investigation into alleged threats made to a terrified victim in a group earlier this year.
Police have not revealed the identity of the alleged victim or the group they belong to.
Five bikie members and associates from the Bandidos have been arrested after a series of late night raids
Detectives from the Echo Taskforce and the VIPER taskforce conducted the raids on Tuesday morning at properties in Melbourne and Geelong
During their search warrants, detectives allegedly uncovered drugs and weapons at two properties.
One patched member, 53, who is a chapter vice president of the Bandidos, was arrested at his Rowville home.
Officers also allegedly found knuckle dusters at his property.
He has been charged with blackmail and for possessing the restricted weapon.
Another patched member, 53, was arrested at his home in Norlane, where police allegedly discovered a hydroponic drug set up along with cannabis plants, dried cannabis, cocaine and amphetamine.
The man has been charged with drug possession.
A Bandidos chapter bearer, 41, was arrested in Narre Warren and charged with blackmail.
A probationary member, 35, was taken into custody in Cranbourne East and charged with blackmail and possessing cannabis.
A woman, 55, was arrested at her home in Hoppers Crossing but later released.
The Norlane man was given bail and will front Geelong Magistrates’ Court in January.
The other three men were also provided bail and will face Latrobe Magistrates’ Court next Tuesday.
The arrests of the Bandidos members and associates were over an alleged blackmailing ring
Three of the bikie members arrested were charged with blackmail, one was also charged for having knuckle dusters at his property, two others were charged with drug offences
Echo Taskforce Detective Acting Inspector Ash Ryan said a number of police activities had targeted the Bandidos recently and that officers would continue to ‘take action against these groups’.
‘If they believe they can operate above the law, then they are wrong,’ she said.
‘We will continue to target their criminal activities regardless of what form that takes.’
Inspector Ryan added that while it was difficult for victims to come forward to talk with police about criminal matters it has ‘overwhelmingly shown to be the safest approach’.
‘We will hold offenders to account and make every effort to stamp out their violent and unlawful ventures.’
The investigation is ongoing.
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