A JOINT police operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) activity has seen police seize weapons and drugs and close down a club house linked to the Rebels.
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Canobolas Local Area Command and the Gangs Squad’s Strike Force Raptor conducted the two-day operation commencing on Tuesday in the Orange, Cowra and Molong areas.
A number of properties linked to the Rebels and the Bandidos were searched by virtue of firearms prohibition orders and under the Restricted Premises Act, with two licensed premises also inspected.
At one property in Young Road, Cowra, police seized a pistol, numerous fire crackers and a number of vials suspected of containing steroids.
At a North Logan Road property in Cowra, police found a semi-automatic rifle, ammunition and a dart blower with darts which is listed as a prohibited weapon.
A small amount of cannabis and other suspected drugs, as well as a number of items suspected of being stolen, were found in a neighbouring property.
The Rebels clubhouse at Cowra was dismantled after police identified it was allegedly operating contrary to the Restricted Premises Act. Alcohol, a bar and various other items were removed from the premises.
A member of the Rebels was arrested and charged after police located a knife and knuckle dusters during a vehicle stop in Orange.
A Rebels nominee lost his licence for numerous driving offences and his vehicle was defected after being stopped in Lithgow.
Two licensed premises in Orange were also inspected with a number of breaches detected.
Police issued a number of firearms prohibition orders on other individuals throughout the Canobolas Local Area Command.
Inquiries into the items seized are continuing and police anticipate a number of people will be charged with various offences.
Canobolas Local Area Commander, Superintendent Shane Cribb, said police would continue to target criminal activity by OMCG members within the area.
“Any OMCG member who breaks the law, from traffic offences through to the possession of illegal weapons and other serious crimes, can expect to come to the attention of police,” he said.
“The public should not have to put up with their criminal behaviour and we certainly won’t tolerate it.
“I would urge any person who has information about the criminal activities of OMCGs to come forward.”
Commander of the Gangs Squad, Detective Superintendent Deb Wallace, said Strike Force Raptor would continue to create a hostile environment for OMCGs operate.
“As long as these gangs continue to identify as operating outside of the law, then we will continue to target them using all of the legislation available to us to do so,” Det Supt Wallace said.
“The Gangs Squad will continue to work closely with local police across NSW to target OMCGs, as well as collaborate with a range of interstate and Commonwealth agencies to target them on a national level.”
Strike Force Raptor was established by State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad in 2009. It is a proactive and high-impact operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs and any associated criminal enterprises.
