Millions of dollars and tonnes of drugs have been taken off the streets in the four years since the National Anti-Gangs Squad was established with the goal of crippling bikie gangs.
Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan, along with Australian Federal Police (AFP) commander Chris Sheehan and the NSW gang-squad commander Deb Wallace said in Sydney on Thursday the squad had given the nation’s once fearsome outlaw motorcycle gangs nowhere to hide.
‘The drug trade is the fuel in the tank for bikie gangs,’ Mr Keenan said while standing next to a table of seized Samurai swords, bikie patches and piles of chemicals used to make methamphetamine.
Millions of dollars and tonnes of drugs have been taken off the streets in the four years since the National Anti-Gangs Squad was established with the goal of crippling bikie gangs
Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan said in Sydney on Thursday the squad had given the nation’s once fearsome outlaw motorcycle gangs nowhere to hide
‘The drug trade is the fuel in the tank for bikie gangs,’ Mr Keenan said while standing next to a table of seized Samurai swords, bikie patches and piles of chemicals used to make meth
Commander Sheehan said the gangs tried to move overseas as the pressure increased over the past four years but global partnerships with law-enforcement agencies had lead to significant arrests.
‘There are no safe-havens overseas,’ he said.
‘We will come for you.’
Seized bikie vests are seen at a press conference at Australian Federal Police headquarters in Sydney
Bags of ephedrine, bikie weapons and bikie vests are seen at a press conference concerning the National Anti-Gangs Squad
Since March 2014, the National Anti-Gangs Squad have confiscated $9.2 million in cash, 5,700 illegal firearms and 170kg of methamphetamine.
Police raids have resulted in 1,068 arrests and 3,365 charges laid.
‘In NSW, the NAGS-teams have contributed to significant operational outcomes – including just recently, Strike Force KINDRA, resulting in a number of arrests including a high-ranking member of the Rebels OMCG,’ Mr Keenan said.
Australian Minister for Justice Michael Keenan (left) and Australian Federal Police State Manager New South Wales Chris Sheehan (second left) look at bags of ephedrine, bikie weapons and bikie vests
Australian Minister for Justice Michael Keenan (pictured, centre) holds a bag of ephedrine
Bags of ephedrine are seen at a press conference at Australian Federal Police headquarters in Sydney