BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA (December 15, 2016) — An alleged Mongols MC club member has become the first to face a charge under the State Government's reworked anti-biker laws, for wearing gold and diamond "biker rings".
Police intercepted a four-wheel-drive at Hamilton on
Brisbane's north side early this afternoon, when they say they noticed a man
wearing rings inscribed with "1%" and "Mongols".
They conducted a search of the car and found a
Mongols-branded vest in his luggage.
The 44-year-old Brisbane man has been issued with a
notice to appear in court next month for wearing a prohibited item in a public
place.
Confiscated rings that the 'alleged' Mongol member was wearing
It is the first time a person has been charged under the new section of the Summary Offences Act 2005.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said the new laws would further
deter outlaw motorcycle gangs.
"My message to outlaw motorcycle gangs, or any crime
group, is: if you commit a crime, the police will catch you and you will suffer
the full force of the law," he said.
An unidentified Mongol MC member wearing illegal vest
Under the laws passed by the Newman government in 2013,
it was illegal to wear bikie colours in a licenced premises and criminal gang
members were not allowed to congregate in a public place.
SOURCE: ABC AUSTRALIA