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Raids
expose alleged drug ring - 26th May 2004
(Credit:
The Sydney Morning Herald)
Truck drivers bought, used and sold amphetamines in
a $23 million racket allegedly organised by five bikie
gangs in three states, police said.
An
18-month police investigation climaxed at dawn as
350 officers in NSW, South Australia and Queensland
simultaneously swooped on 29 properties, arresting
20 people.
Police
say five bikie gangs - the Rebels, Nomads, Gypsy Jokers,
Hells Angels and Finks - are part of a network alleged
to have produced drugs such as cannabis and speed
worth about $23 million.
Officers
attached to Strike Force Winstead allege the drugs
were being sold to, distributed and used by truck
drivers, operating on routes between Queensland and
South Australia.
NSW
Gangs Squad Commander Ken McKay, speaking in Dubbo
in NSW, said police were investigating a NSW trucking
company that allegedly transported the drugs through
the region and interstate.
"It
appears to us this syndicate has been set up here
to access the interstate trucking route," Detective
Superintendent McKay told reporters.
"As
far as organised gangs go, we have evidence in this
investigation that there are members from a number
of different motorcycle gangs.
"For
example, we have evidence that it's people in Dubbo
who are members of or associated with the Rebels and
the Nomads, in South Australia it's members of the
Gypsy Jokers and the Hells Angels."
He
said further arrests would be made as investigations
continued but police would "allege that these
drugs were used by people in the trucking industry".
Authorities
have long been concerned about truckies' use of illegal
stimulants to keep awake for long periods.
In
the raids about 200 officers swooped on 11 properties
at Dubbo, in NSW's central-west, where police believed
the syndicate was based.
They
also raided a house in Port Stephens, on the NSW central
coast, and three in the Sydney suburbs of Casula,
Erskine Park and St Clair.
Twelve
men and two women were arrested in NSW and charged
with offences including conspiracy to manufacture
and supply prohibited drugs, as well as firearms and
property offences.
During
the raids, Strike Force Winstead officers recovered
firearms, ammunition, amphetamines, prohibited weapons
and chemical precursors, as well as evidence of clandestine
drug laboratories.
Det
Supt McKay said the "extremely successful"
operation had stopped an organised crime drug racket.
Links:
Media
websites
The
Sydney Morning Herald
Articles
Police
raid bikies over $22m drug ring
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massacre movie planned - 23rd June 2002
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