Rebels MC: Strike Force Raptor intercepts National Run

Moree, New South Wales, AU. (October 9, 2018) BTN — Police have intercepted dozens of Rebels MC members during a week-long operation involving local and interstate officers.

The blitz, code-named "Operation Morpheus", saw officers swarm Moree, as the Rebels MC members took part in their club’s national run.

But several riders made a u-turn at Moree, and north of the town, after they were met with the men and white in blue, the commander of the club's squad said.

Strike Force Raptor raiding a Rebels MC clubhouse

As part of Operation Morpheus, the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor joined their counterparts from Queensland Police Service and Victoria Police to proactively target the Rebels National Run from Sunday, September 30, 2018 to Sunday, October 7, 2018.

Operation Morpheus is a National Anti-Gangs Squad initiative, combining the resources of all Australian state and territory police agencies and key Commonwealth agencies, to detect, deter, and disrupt any illicit activity of motorccyle members and associates.

During the operation – which began in Queensland and travelled through Moree, Dubbo, Parkes and Albury – seven people were issued court attendance notices for a range of offences, including possess prohibited drug, possess drug equipment, drive while suspended, assault police, and custody of a knife in a public place.

Officers also issued 104 traffic infringement notices and 61 defect notices to several Rebels MC members, and searched 33 people; seizing cash, a knife and prohibited drugs.

Criminal Groups Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace, said motorcycle club members should expect more operations such as this as interstate law enforcement agencies continue to work together.

“We know outlaw motorcycle gangs are not confined to one particular state or criminal activity, and, by working together with our interstate colleagues, it allows us a united front to further disrupt their criminal enterprises,” she said.

As part of our proactive strategies, we had several  members turn back near Moree to return to Queensland. In fact, attendance for this event was significantly lower than previous years.

Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace

“As part of our proactive strategies, we had several Rebels MC members turn back near Moree to return to Queensland. In fact, attendance for this event was significantly lower than previous years."

“We make no apology for conducting these operations. If you are an motorcycle club member and commit any illegal activities in NSW, you should expect to deal with our Strike Force Raptor officers.”

Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.

SOURCE: The Northern Daily Leader

Guns, drugs and cash seized in anti-bikie sting

Sydney, Australia (March 21, 2018) BTN — Drugs, guns, and cash were seized after police raided seven outlaw motorcycle club's linked properties across Canberra on Wednesday. A 35-year-old Evatt man was charged with firearm related offences as a result of the sting, which coincided with operations interstate as part of a national day of action targeting outlaw motorcycle clubs.

ACT police chief Justine Saunders said the raids showed bikies that the capital was a hostile jurisdiction and pledged to continue to push for tough new laws targeting criminal motorcycle clubs. The ACT hosts chapters of three major outlaw clubs, the Nomads, Comanchero, and Rebels.

A feud between the Nomads and Comanchero has been blamed for tit-for-tat violence, including drive-by shootings, in Canberra's south.

Nationally, Wednesday's day of action was led by Operation Morpheus, the national Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs taskforce, while the Canberra search warrants were conducted by ACT Policing bikie busting group Taskforce Nemesis.

Police said the raids across the capital uncovered three firearms, 270 rounds of ammunition, about 28 grams of a substance believed to be methylamphetamine, about 12 grams of a substance believed to be cocaine, and more $50,000 in cash, suspected to be proceeds of crime.

In Victoria, seven people were charged with a variety of offences and police seized motorcycles, drugs, cash, computers and more than $1 million-worth of alcohol. ACT deputy chief police officer crime Mark Walters said disrupting the illegal activities of criminal gangs was a priority for ACT Policing.

"This action is just one part of our ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle criminal gangs in our community," Commander Walters said.

"Taskforce Nemesis", supported by every ACT Policing officer, continues to focus on serious and organised crime and apply pressure to members of criminal gangs.

"We will continue to work collaboratively with our state, territory and Commonwealth partners to address the threats posed by criminal gangs."

Assistant Commissioner Justine Saunders said community safety was paramount and ACT Policing would continue to work with the ACT Government on laws to prevent and deter serious and organised crime and associated firearms related violence in the capital.

"Whilst I fully support the principles of the Human Rights Act that we operate under here in the ACT, I will continue to pursue legislative reform that is proportionate to the threat that serious and organised crime presents to our community," she said.

The 35-year-old Evatt man charged with firearms offences will appear before the ACT Magistrate's Court at a later date.

SOURCE: The Sydney Morning Herald

Rebels MC: Several members plead guilty to crimes

Christchurch, South Island, NZ (March 12, 2018) BTN — Four members of the Rebels motorcycle club have admitted being members of an organised criminal group that was dealing methamphetamine and cannabis in Christchurch.

Raids on the clubs's headquarters in Vagues Rd, Papanui, in 2016, found firearms, 38 grams of methamphetamine, 300g of cannabis, and $35,000, Crown prosecutor Claire Boshier told the Christchurch District Court as the group pleaded guilty on Tuesday.

"The Rebels motorcycle gang had as one of their objectives to deal in drugs, notably methamphetamine and cannabis, for profit," she said.

Rebels MC members wait outside their clubhouse while police perform search

Judge Tom Gilbert set sentencing for June 27 and ordered home detention assessments for three who are on bail: Baden Kenneth Clunie, 25, Apirana Ropata Ngata, 23, and a 45-year-old man who has interim name suppression.

A fourth man, Mark Allan Powhiro, 32, is already being held in custody and no home detention report was called for. All have admitted participating in an organised criminal group. Clunie also admitted offering to supply methamphetamine and cannabis. The man with name suppression also admitted offering to supply methamphetamine.

Boshier said the Rebels formed in Brisbane in 1969 and became Australia's largest motorcycle club. Since 2011 they have rapidly expanded throughout the world and established a presence in New Zealand in January 2011. From August 2014 to June 2016, the Rebels Motorcycle Club South City headquarters was in a warehouse in Vagues Rd. It contained a headquarters room, accommodation, and a bar.

The bar area, main room, and accommodation had Rebels paraphernalia such as flags, logos, drawings and insignia on display. There were patched Rebels jackets and vests, Harley Davidson motorcycles and five surveillance cameras with television monitor screens set up in two areas. Boshier said between March and April 2016, the four men were either patched members or prospects of the Rebels Motorcycles South City club.

They were seen wearing Rebels regalia and associating with known members, in Christchurch and other parts of the country. She said Clunie was the "money man" who held the club books and chased members for money owed for club fees.

Firearms were found at the pad when the police searched the premises.

"Gangs such as the Rebels acquire firearms for the purpose of intimidation and protection of the gang. They are readily used by drug dealers for their protection and standover tactics in the sale and supply of methamphetamine and cannabis," Boshier said.

The Crown detailed the firearms – a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition, a cutdown .308 firearm, and air rifles – found at the premises. They also found drugs, a balaclava, and text messages, which they say include "drug talk and drug dealing", although they are sometimes unable to say what type of drug is being supplied.

A fifth person arrested has pleaded not guilty and the case is headed for trial.

SOURCE: Stuff.co

Police Watch Rebels MC National Meeting

Police out in force for Rebels MC  National Meeting

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA (October 21, 2016) Police from the ACT's outlaw motorcycle group and the AFP's National Anti-gang Squad will be out in very large numbers this weekend monitoring the Rebels MC annual meeting in Canberra for any illegal activity.

A series of small groups of Rebels club members rolled into Fyshwick on Friday ahead of their national meeting at their Wollongong Street club house on Saturday.

While ACT Police would not say how many officers would be on the streets for the meeting, members of the Taskforce Nemesis, traffic, general duties and specialist response teams were given a watching brief for the weekend.

Police making their presence known among the Rebels MC

A police spokeswoman said they would be monitoring for any intimidating, anti-social or illegal activity, and ensuring Rebels members were compliant with road transport laws.

She said police were not expecting any disruptions to traffic over the weekend, but people may see small groups of Rebels "riding around the Capital over the weekend". 

SOURCE: The Canberra Times

Rebels MC killing their own?

Sydney, Australia (June 4, 2016) Rebels MC member Michael Davey was known as the Prince of Penrith, a title that earned him the praise of friends and fellow bikers alike.

But it appears this sense of brotherhood may have faltered in his final hours: police are investigating whether his comrades were behind his execution.

Mr Davey – nicknamed Ruthless – was gunned down on home turf in Sydney's west on March 30.

The 30 year old had been a stone's throw from the home he shared with his girlfriend in Stafford Street, Kingswood, when someone opened fire.

He had been a well-known member of the Rebels MC, members of which flocked in droves to pay their respects at his funeral.

Michael Davey in happier times

Davey had been on the police radar since his late teens and was facing trial for drug supply when he was killed.

Tattoos across his body pledged an allegiance to the club but Fairfax Media understands Mr Davey wanted to leave.

Homicide detectives are looking closely at a few potential motives for his death, including that Mr Davey was shot and killed under direction from his own club when he wanted to patch out.

However, police can't discount the possibility that a conflict between the Finks and Rebels motorcycle clubs in the city's north-west, or a disagreement stemming had something to do with his death.

Sources say he was close to Mark Easter, who held a level of seniority as sergeant at arms of the Rebels Sydney chapter.

Easter was executed nine months before his younger brother. Both men left behind young sons, whom friends say they cared for.

While the killings are thought to be unrelated, it is understood police believe Easter's murder was plotted from within the club after he put someone "off side".

Easter, remembered by friends as a "loving father and honest man", left his Little Bay home after having dinner with his partner Biancha Simpson in June 2015, and was not seen alive again.

Investigators say there wasn't anything out of the ordinary about him leaving the house that night, but they believe he was killed shortly afterwards.

Rebels MC at a glance

His body was dumped a few days later just off the Pacific Highway at Cowan, north of Sydney.

Police believe Easter's murderer didn't act alone.

"He is a fair-sized man and in order to dump his body, it would have required more than one person," Homicide Squad Detective Chief Inspector David Laidlaw said in April.

The club has been plagued by internal conflicts and patch outs ever since their national leader, Alex Vella, was left exiled in Malta when his Australian visa was cancelled.

SOURCE: The Sydney Morning Herald

Two Dead - Six-Hour Standoff in Sydney

Two Dead After Dispute Between Australian Bikers Leads to Six-Hour Standoff in Sydney

A member of the Finks MC in Australia

SIDNEY, AUSTRALIA  (March 7, 2016) — On Monday morning, an apparent rivalry between motorcycle clubs became violent when one club member entered a sign-making shop in Sydney and opened fire. After an hours-long standoff with police, the gunman — who has since been identified as Wayne Williams, 33 – shot himself dead.

Local news reports said Williams entered the factory, which is in an industrial suburb southwest of Sydney, around 10.45 am. Police say he was carrying a long firearm.

Mick Bassal, 43, died at the scene. Detective Inspector Mark Brett said at a press conference that when they arrived, they found "three males, one deceased and two others with gunshot wounds." The two injured are Bassal's brothers. They were transported to a nearby hospital, where one underwent emergency surgery.

Williams, the gunman, reportedly belongs to the Finks Motorcycle Club, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Bassal, the victim, owned the sign business and had ties to the Rebels Motorcycle Club.

Police say they surrounded the factory upon arrival and began negotiations with Williams. One man was arrested at the scene for allegedly hindering police operations. Three people reportedly left the building shortly before Williams shot himself, but it is not clear whether they were hostages.

The area surrounding the sign factory was reportedly on lock down. Police evacuated businesses, and escorted employees to shelter under police protection.

Rogan Burns, an employee at a nearby entertainment agency, said that police were treating the situation very seriously.

"My colleague actually left to go and get the boss a cake for his birthday," Burns said. "The police came screaming in the vehicles and just told everyone to get back inside."

Police say they don't believe the siege was terrorism related.

According to the Australian Crime Commission (ACC), motorcycle clubs or "bikie clubs" as they're known locally are "the most identifiable components of Australia's criminal landscape." The ACC says there are clubs active throughout the country – 44 clubs are on their radar, with a grand total of 179 chapters and 4,483 members. About 25 percent of those members reportedly belong to the Rebels – the same club that Mick Bassal reportedly had ties to.

Members of the Finks MC rolling on their Motorcycles

In December 2014, a hostage situation in Sydney made international headlines when self-described sheikh, Mar Haron Monis, entered a cafe with a gun and declared allegiance to the Islamic State. A tense 16-hour standoff ensued, with Monis holding 18 customers and employees hostage.

Monis had reportedly tried to join the Rebels Motorcycle Club, but his application was rejected because the club decided he was unstable and untrustworthy.