Mongols MC Targeted in Police Operation

Victoria, Australia (December 4, 2020) - Police have arrested six people and seized 14 firearms as part of a National Day of Action targeting the Mongols Motorcycle Club. Officers searched a club house and address in Echuca, along with several properties in Greater Melbourne.

The six people have been charged with a range of drug, firearms, weapons, and explosives offences.

A number of items were also seized from the properties, including firearms, cash, explosives, and a range of drugs like cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, steroids, and prescription medication. 

Police also served firearm prohibition orders on 12 Mongols MC members and conducted compliance checks on a number of existing firearm prohibition order subjects.

Earlier this week, police seized 12 firearms from two patched Mongols MC members.

Police also searched a South Morang address and seized a suspected stolen Harley Davidson, drugs, ammunition, and a conducted energy device. Two men, who are patched members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club, were also served with firearm prohibition orders and were expected to be charged in relation to the seizures.

Members of the Echo Taskforce, public order response team, licensing records division, dog squad, bomb response unit, and local police – as well as the Australian Federal Police national anti gangs squad – were involved in the day of action on Thursday.

Across Australia, a number of people were arrested and a range of items including firearms, drugs, and cash.

Crime Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Mick Frewen said it was imperative that law enforcement agencies across Australia continued to work to together to target motorcycle clubs.

“This is a group we know have traditionally been involved in violent crimes such as shootings, assaults, arson, drug trafficking, extortion and intimidation,” Mr Frewen said.

“These activities bring immense harm to communities across Australia and often significantly impacts innocent people who have no links to the outlaw motorcycle gangs.”

“In Victoria alone, the Mongols have been linked to a number of firearms incidents including multiple homicides and non-fatal shootings over the past 15 months.”

“Organised criminal groups such as the Mongols aren’t a state-based problem.”

“They remain a significant issue for law enforcement right across Australia and days of action such as this one provides the ideal opportunity for us to work together to target their offending and also gather intelligence.”

SOURCE: Bendigo Advertiser

Motorcycle Club Leaders Arrested

Auckland, New Zealand (December 2, 2020) - Senior leaders of the Comanchero MC and The Rebels MC have been arrested and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash seized following a raft of armed police raids across Auckland and Christchurch.

Police have arrested 12 more people today as part of Operation Cincinnati and located drugs, some of which was ready for sale, and a shotgun after executing 24 search warrants

Police searched 21 properties across Auckland and three in Christchurch

New Zealand Customs staff, Armed Offenders Squad members, Asset Recovery Unit and Police Dog Section staff assisted police with the searches. 

It follows the first phase of Operation Cincinnati in October when 26 people were arrested and kilos of drugs was seized, along with multiple firearms and more than $10 million in assets.

Police said the nine-month investigation, run by the National Organised Crime Group, targeted a core group that are alleged to be involved in the importation, distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine and MDMA, and other drugs in the two cities.

Today’s arrests include a leader of the Comanchero MC, who allegedly formed a partnership with a senior member of The Rebels MC in Christchurch, with both allegedly running drug distribution networks in their areas, police said in a statement. 

A further 10 motorcycle clubs members and their associates have also been arrested in relation to their alleged roles in the network, which saw drugs and cash transported between the two cities, police said.

National Organised Crime Group acting Detective Inspector John Brunton said police were determined to target the leaders and key members of these “criminal gangs” involved in illicit drug distribution, intimidation and violence.

“We want to reduce the harm these gangs are causing in our communities,” he said. “I also want to acknowledge the great work carried out by the Operation Cincinnati team, who are committed to preventing organised crime of any sort impacting on our communities.”

Those arrested today are aged between 20 and 42 and will appear in Auckland District Court in the coming days on various drugs-related charges.

SOURCE: ExBulletin 

Bandidos Clubhouse Search Results in Charges

Devonport, Australia (December 2, 2020) - Three members of the Bandidos motorcycle club have been charged following a search of their clubhouse in East Devonport yesterday. 

Police conducted a search at the clubhouse where a quantity of stolen property, a firearm, ammunition and a small quantity of drugs have been located. 

As a result of the search a 36 year old man, a 33 year old man and 25 year old man who are all members of the Bandidos motorcycle club have been charged with a number of offences including consorting, wear prohibited insignia and contravene the conditions of a notice.

The 25 year old man has been bailed to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court on 19 January 2021. The 36 year old man and the 33 year old man have been held for court.

Public Release: The material in this public release comes from the originating organization and may be of a point-in-time nature, edited for clarity, style and length. View in full HERE.

Mongols MC Boss Granted Bail

Melbourne, Australia (November 26, 2020) - The head of a Melbourne Mongols MC already out on bail has been granted it again after he was arrested today. Mongols boss Toby Mitchell was arrested by the Echo Taskforce following an incident that took place in Melbourne on November 15 event. He was knocked unconscious during an early hours brawl at Queens Bridge Square in Southbank.

Earlier in the night he had been partying at Soho Bar. CCTV footage shows Mitchell walking with a group of friends along the Southbank promenade and engaging in a verbal altercation with a man sitting on the ground who he then punched in the face twice. 

Mitchell was pulled away by his group of friends, but he approached that man again and that’s when the he was struck unconscious. The Mongols leader was charged with affray and committing an indictable offence while on bail. He faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court via video link, and was granted bail for the second time in less than eight weeks today. The leader was in court last month, also on assault charges but released on bail. 

Toby Mitchell

The alleged serious assault occurred outside a cafe on Domain Road in South Yarra on October 4. Police allege he struck the male to the head three times. As part of his bail conditions Mr Mitchell was not to associate with any members of the Mongols. 

SOURCE: 9News