With the sole aim of causing maximum disruption to outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs), police across the country arrested over 100 people, laid over 250 charges and seized firearms, weapons, various drugs, illicit cigarettes, tobacco and vapes and over $100,000 cash last week as part of a national week of action.
Focussing on enhanced national coordination and collaboration, national Taskforce Morpheus is a joint initiative through which all Australian state and territory police, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Defence Force, Australian Taxation Office, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, Services Australia and New Zealand Police collaboratively target the highest threat outlaw motorcycle gangs impacting Australia.
Alongside their propensity for violence and established transnational and serious and organised crime networks, OMCG members have a significant footprint in a range of organised criminal activities including illicit drug production and distribution, firearms trafficking, money laundering, tax evasion and more recently, infiltrating the illicit tobacco market. OMCGs are ranked as the largest serious and organised crime cohort impacting Australia and New Zealand.
In Australia, the average costs of crime and prison alone add up to approximately $1.3million per OMCG offender over the course of their criminal careers according to research conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC).
This year's week of action ran from 5 - 9 August.
Police zeroed in on drugs, firearms, Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance searches and service, weapons and explosives, with each state and territory proactively targeting their own highest priority issues, with concentrated disruption, enforcement and compliance activity undertaken.
Another focus of this year's week of action was OMCG members involved in family violence matters. An AIC research report found that OMCG members are twice as likely to have been proceeded against for domestic violence offences as the wider male offending population.
Leveraging shared capability and technology, national Taskforce Morpheus also targets criminal assets and unexplained wealth of key OMCG members, protects vulnerable people and develops national strategies to deter gang recruitment, reduce membership and target recidivism and enablers to organised crime.
Utilising police officers from both Australia and New Zealand, the week of action led to:
• 106 arrests
• 259 charges
• The seizure of 35 firearms, 742 explosives or various types of ammunition and 18 weapons
• Over 740,000 illicit cigarettes seized, over 900 illicit vapes, over 75kg of looseleaf tobacco and over 125kg of shisha
• Seizures of varying drugs in various quantities, including cocaine, methylamphetamine, MDMA, ecstasy, GHB, 1,4-Butanediol, and
• Over $100,000 cash seized and 72 traffic offences were detected, with 29 defect notices issued and one vehicle impounded.
In total, 68 search warrants were executed, alongside 130 Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance searches. A further 14 FPOs were served.
Key results from the week of action in Victoria include:
• On Monday, 5 August, seven search warrants were executed as part of joint investigation between the ABF and the VIPER Taskforce in suburbs including Mount Eliza, Cranbourne East, Cranbourne North, Sydenham, Dandenong South, and Hastings.
A sawn-off shotgun, a 3D printed firearm, three imitation firearms, ammunition, and drugs of dependence including liquid steroids, powdered steroids, testosterone, prescription drugs amphetamine and methylamphetamine were seized.
Nine offenders, all believed to be patched members of the Hells Angels OMCG were charged with a range of offences, including prohibited person possess firearm, possession of firearms, manufacturing / trafficking steroids and possession of various drugs of dependence.
Two clandestine steroid laboratories were also located at the Mount Eliza and Sydenham properties and were subsequently dismantled.
• On Wednesday, 7 August, the VIPER Taskforce executed a FPO compliance search on a 35-year-old Mickleham man, a patched member of the Hells Angels OMCG.
Upon police arrival, members sighted an unregistered prime mover being driven. It was then located abandoned. A subsequent search of the vehicle located the 35-year-old man hiding in the rear axle of the vehicle.
He was subsequently charged with drive whilst disqualified (heavy vehicle), drive unregistered vehicle and trailer (heavy vehicle), display false number plate, possess drug of dependence, theft of motor vehicle, handle stolen goods and possess proceeds of crime. He was bailed to appear at Sunshine Magistrates' Court on 28 November.
An outstanding stolen prime mover was also seized from the address.
• On Friday, 9 August, the VIPER and Echo taskforces, Dog Squad and AFP executed five search warrants in Sunbury (4) and Diggers Rest as part of an investigation into multiple alleged extortions.
With assistance from the Special Operations Group, a 38-year-old Sunbury man was arrested and subsequently charged with two counts of extortion and blackmail with menaces, theft of motor vehicle, stalking, make threats to kill, fail to comply with conditions of 465 AA order, possess prescription medication and possess explosives.
He appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 12 August.
Key results from the week of action include:
• In Western Australia, WA Police Force Gang Crime Squad officers have charged 13 people with 43 offences, including two counts of 'Displaying Prohibited Insignia in Public'. During the search of a home in Secret Harbour police seized various quantities of steroids, a trafficable quantity of cocaine and over $61,000 in cash. A 34-year-old Raiders member and Mongols OMCG associate from Secret Harbour was charged with a number of drug offences.
Taskforce Morpheus disruption strategies extended to Casuarina Prison with a number of prison cell searches conducted on OMCG members and associates. On Tuesday, 6 August, officers from the Gang Crime Squad - in company with Prison Officers attached to Casuarina Prison - conducted 21 cell searches ensuring OMCG members and associates in custody in WA were also targeted as part of the national strategy.
• In New Zealand, police executed two search warrants in West Harbour and Henderson and uncovered a clandestine laboratory. Precursor chemicals, equipment, a quantity of drugs including methylamphetamine and LSD and $3000 cash was seized. Two offenders were also charged.
• New Zealand officers also executed a search warrant in Churton Park, at a property of an OMCG associate. Drugs, $20,000 in cash, a pistol, ammunition and a money counting machine were located and seized. The man was charged and remanded in custody.
Quotes attributable to Acting Commander Jason Kelly from Victoria Police's Crime Command and Chair of National Taskforce Morpheus:
"The social and economic impact of outlaw motorcycle gangs on our communities is significant. They are motivated by greed and profit and we know that they have a culture of secrecy and intimidation and a greater propensity for extreme violence.
"Research has found that four in five Australian OMCG members have a recorded criminal history, and they were nearly three times as likely to have contact with the criminal justice system by age 33 as other men.
"This will not be tolerated. Any OMCG member or associate who thinks they can get away with criminal behaviour that puts innocent members of the public at risk should think again.
"Alongside our partner agencies and with specialist taskforces such as Echo and VIPER, we will continue to use our full range of capabilities to proactively target OMCGs at every opportunity. We will be relentless, and we will not stop."
ACIC Executive Director Intelligence Operations Jen Hurst emphasises the critical role of National Taskforce Morpheus in enabling the ACIC to provide essential mission critical intelligence.
"The threat of violence from OMCGs is persistent, and the ACIC is committed to working closely with both domestic and international partners to create an environment in Australia that is unwelcoming to criminal activities," said Ms Hurst.
Quotes attributable to Australian Border Force Commander Customs Enforcement John Taylor:
"The Australian Border Force, in collaboration with partners, took a particular focus during this week of action around the importation of prohibited items into Australia by individuals with links to organised criminal networks.
"As criminal networks continue to diversify their business models, they are attempting different approaches to import illicit items, including tobacco and vape products.
"ABF officers also worked closely with several state health agencies during operational activity last week, targeting retailers who continue to actively import, distribute, sell and profit off illicit tobacco and vaping products.
"As a result of this targeted activity, 742,811 cigarettes, 76kg of loose leaf tobacco, 127kg of shisha and 9,338 disposable vapes were seized.
"One of the benefits of coordinated weeks of action is that it allows law enforcement and intelligence agencies to bring all their known information together to target a range of members of these networks, at varying levels of involvement.
"Anyone who opts to be involved in criminal activity, needs to be very aware of the close eye our state and federal partners have on you. Rest assured it is only a matter of time before officers come knocking and taking appropriate, strong and decisive action against you."
Quotes attributable to South Australia Police Detective Superintendent Shane Addison, Officer in Charge, Serious and Organised Crime Branch:
"SAPOL was an active partner last week in a nationally coordinated multi-agency effort to disrupt the criminal activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs.
"Members and associates of these criminal gangs were subjected to a whole of SAPOL targeted approach, led by the Serious and Organised Crime Branch, which involved vehicle stops and house searches, among other enforcement activities.
"Working with law enforcement and intelligence agency partners, clear messages were sent to individuals associated with these criminal organisations that they and their unlawful activities are the focus of our attention and this will continue.
"The South Australian community can be assured that SAPOL will continue to work with its partners to disrupt and suppress the harm and criminal activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs."
AUSTRAC Acting National Manager, Law Enforcement and Industry, Anthony Helmond, said being part of National Taskforce Morpheus is another example of AUSTRAC working collaboratively with our federal and state partners in the fight against organised crime.
"Our intelligence allows us to identify suspicious activity, build financial profiles and networks to assist law enforcement investigations, and disrupt OMCG activity in Australia and around the world," Mr Helmond said.
Quotes attributable to AFP Acting Commander Adrian Telfer:
"OMCGs continue to pose a significant threat to Australia's economy, national security, and way of life. The AFP is proud to continue to work alongside our state, territory and Commonwealth law enforcement partners through National Taskforce Morpheus in a coordinated effort to target and disrupt OMCGs."
Quotes attributable to Detective Superintendent Jason Box, Commander of NSW Police's State Crime Command's Criminal Groups Squad.
"Organised crime does not stop at the NSW border. It exists across this country and moves throughout our states. That is why large-scale operations like Operation Morpheus are so important.
"Criminals should not feel safe crossing between borders or conducting criminal enterprises outside of their home state. Operations like Morpheus show our interstate capabilities and we will continue to run these operations in order to target these criminals."
Queensland Police Service Organised Crime Gangs Group Superintendent Troy Pukallus said without state and national coordination, outlaw motorcycle gangs would always pose a greater threat to the community.
"The QPS will maintain a concerted and enduring effort in disrupting OMCG criminal activity, particularly their involvement in the illicit drug market, extreme violence, fraud and links to international crime networks.
"OMCGs have a long history of violent behaviour; they typically attract and recruit criminals and young men who will ultimately be arrested and prosecuted for committing serious offences. Those who associate with or join gangs will inevitably discover that there is no loyalty or brotherhood. I encourage them to look at the QPS Gangs Exit Program to assist them in making better choices.
"We will continue to work collaboratively with our state, territory and Commonwealth partners to take action at every opportunity to dismantle and disrupt the illegal, anti-social and violent behaviours associated with OMCGs and reduce the impact of their harm on our community."
Quotes attributed to Criminal Gangs & Regional Investigations Detective Superintendent Peter Foley:
"Western Australia continues to be one of the toughest jurisdictions for outlaw motorcycle gangs to operate or expand their criminal activities in.
"We will protect our community and the Western Australian way of life by relentlessly targeting members of outlaw motorcycle gangs that use intimidation and violence to commit crime. Even in prison, OMCG members and associates are not immune to a visit from the Gang Crime Squad.
"The WA Police Force will continue to work with our Commonwealth and State partner agencies to ensure Western Australia remains a hostile environment for outlaw motorcycle gang members and associates beyond this week of action."
Quotes attributable to New Zealand Police National Organised Crime Director, Detective Superintendent Greg Williams:
"On Monday 5 August, Police executed two simultaneous search warrants in Henderson and West Harbour, where a senior Hells Angels gang member and a Hells Angels prospect were arrested. Located and seized were 68 LSD tabs, 180g of methamphetamine, and nine pills, the substance of which is unknown. Items consistent with the manufacturing of methamphetamine were also located and seized, as was $3000 cash. At the West Harbour address, Police located a clandestine laboratory where the items for manufacturing methamphetamine, including precursor substances, were uncovered.
"A further two gang associates were arrested at a Wellington address on Tuesday and Wednesday, 6 and 7 August. Over those two days, Police located equipment consistent with drug supply, illicit substances, including methamphetamine, cannabis, butanediol (similar to GBL or GHB), psylocibin (magic mushrooms), and testosterone. We also seized weapons, including a handgun."
Quotes attributable to the Sheriff of Victoria Julie Brown:
Sheriff's officers conducted enforcement activities across this week of action, targeting people with OMCG links who have outstanding warrants.
"The Sheriff's Office actioned 728 warrants against 5 debtors related to warrants totalling more than $295,000. Some matters worth more than $66,000 were resolved by immediate arrest, with perpetrators set to appear at court at a later date."
"Operations like this help disrupt illegal activities and ensure those involved with organised crime and OMCGs pay or resolve their outstanding matters."
"Sheriff's Officers will pursue anyone with outstanding matters, once a fine is registered with Fines Victoria it does not expire."
"The Sheriff's Office will continue to work closely with Victoria Police to disrupt illegal behaviour."
Commencing in September 2014, national Taskforce Morpheus is a working group established under the Serious and Organised Crime Coordination Committee. The taskforce connects commonwealth, state and territory law enforcement agencies to provide a nationally coordinated response to high threat outlaw motorcycle gangs operating across domestic and international borders.
Anyone with information about OMCG activity about is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppers.com.au
