cross-border investigation into the large-scale manufacture of amphetamines and ecstasy by the Hells Angels.
Police say they seized drugs, a Taser, knuckledusters, a baton, computers and financial documents when they searched 31 properties across Sydney at the same time this morning. They say they also seized a car linked to the fatal bikie brawl at Sydney Airport.
A clubhouse in Petersham was also searched and two men were arrested in Sydney's west. The men, aged 41 and 36, have been granted bail and will face court accused of drug supply and possession.The Commander of the Gang Squad, Mal Lanyon, says 260 officers from the state and national crime commissions and the police force were involved. He says they are part of a cross-border investigation into the large-scale manufacture of amphetamines and ecstasy by the Hells Angels. "We have targeted right across the whole outlaw motorcycle gang - every single rank has been targeted," he said.Police have warned today's raids will lead to more arrests. Meanwhile Premier Nathan Rees says police are well advanced towards making their first application to have specific motorcycle gangs declared illegal criminal organisations.His announcement comes as the Government is preparing to extend its month-old anti-bikie laws to make it an offence for declared gangs to recruit new members.Mr Rees says police believe the motorcycle gangs have been drawing members from a number of lower-profile youth street gangs, including 'the Muslim Brotherhood movement' and 'the Parra Boys'."This new offence will help stamp out recruitment and poaching until the message finally sinks in: 'don't join bikie gangs'," he said."We are deadly serious about cracking down on motorcycle gang-related crime. "This is the second wave of laws in our drive to eliminate motorcycle gang violence in New South Wales."
