This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and Western Australia Police
An alleged Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang member has been charged with money laundering, armed robbery and drug supply offences after investigations by the Western Australia National Anti-Gangs Squad and the WA Police Gang Crime Squad.
The 32-year-old man is expected to face Perth Magistrate's Court today (10 March 2022), following his arrest yesterday as a result of an operation targeting criminal activities involving the Comanchero OMCG.
Police arrested the 32-year-old man at a Forrestfield property, where they allegedly caught him in the backyard throwing approximately 60g of methamphetamine over the fence.
Police seized another 100g of methamphetamine during a search of the home.
The Swan View man was charged with two drug supply offences, as well as a charge of property laundering over the seizure of more than $224,000 in cash from his girlfriend's home in January (2022). Police will allege the money is the proceeds of drug trafficking.
Officers allegedly found $196,050 hidden in an esky in a laundry cupboard and another $26,205 in a bedroom when they executed a search warrant at the home in Perth's south-eastern suburbs.
The alleged OMCG member has also been charged with aggravated armed robbery over allegations he robbed and assaulted another man in Perth earlier this year.
Australian Federal Police Sergeant Joel Van Den Brun said outlaw motorcycle gangs were heavily involved in drug trafficking across Australia, and they had a callous disregard for the harm they caused.
"The AFP is working tirelessly with WA Police and other partners to try to make West Australia as hostile an environment as possible for outlaw motorcycle gangs and protect the community," he said.
"Seizing illicit cash, as well as drugs, is a key strategy to ensure OMCGs have difficulty paying debts and cannot fund future criminal ventures."
Western Australia Police Force, Serious Organised Crime Division, Detective Superintendent John Hutchison states: "WA Police Force continues to work with our partner agencies to develop investigative methodologies and disrupt outlaw motorcycle gang members to minimise the harm they cause to the community of Western Australia".
"This is an example of our willingness to share resources and capability to achieve our goal of making WA an unattractive environment for serious organised crime groups to operate," he said.
The 32-year-old man was refused police bail to appear at Perth Magistrates Court today (10 March 2022) charged with:
- Possess a trafficable quantity of a prohibited drug with intent to sell/supply, contrary to section 6(1)(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 (WA). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment;
- Offer to supply a prohibited drug, contrary to section 6(1)(c) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 (WA); The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment;
- Property laundering, contrary to section 563A(1) of the Criminal Code Compilation Act 1913 (WA); The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years' imprisonment;
- Aggravated armed robbery, contrary to section 392 of the Criminal Code Compilation Act 1913 (WA); The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years' imprisonment.
WA NAGS comprises members from the Australian Federal Police, Western Australia Police Force and Australian Taxation Office.
