OMCGs targeted and disrupted by joint operation

A two-year joint operation targeting organised crime on the Gold Coast which resulted in the arrest of 41 people was closed this week.

Involving members of the QPS State Crime Operations Command OMCG Taskforce Hydra and officers from the Australian Crime Commission, Operation Creed (QPS) and Operation Farus (ACC) commenced in September 2007.

The operation targeted the alleged large scale production, supply and trafficking of dangerous drugs (including methylamphetamines, MDMA and cocaine) by members and associates of the Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.

As a result of the operation 41 people (and allegedly including a number of high profile Finks members) are facing 160 charges, including possession, supply and trafficking of dangerous drugs, extortion, grievous bodily harm and possession of restricted weapons.

Investigators have also seized over $320,000 worth of drugs, $360,000 worth of cash and property and have restrained a further $629,000 worth of property.

The operation involved arrests between December 2008 and the beginning of October 2009. More recently the operation involved police executing 18 search warrants on addresses on the Gold Coast (17) and Ipswich (1) on October 27.

These raids were conducted on two Finks clubhouses and the residences of members, nominees or associates of the Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Club.

As a result of these raids 10 people were arrested on 17 charges including the possession of dangerous drugs. They are facing court this week.

Detective Inspector Garry Watts of OMCG Taskforce Hydra said the operation has made significant inroads in combating the trafficking of illicit drugs by organised crime networks.

“This joint operation has been very successful. It has been the culmination of a lot of hard work and effort by police dedicated to dismantling a syndicate involved in the large scale production and distribution of illegal drugs on the Gold Coast.

“These charges also involve the extortion and threat of violence and intimidation used by the alleged offenders to carry out these activities,” Detective Inspector Watts said.

ACC National Manager Mr Jim Duffy said the operation has resulted in the major disruption of a pervasive and extensive network.

“Overall, this operation has significantly disrupted the serious and organised criminal activity of the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang including illicit drug trafficking, weapons offences and violence related offences including extortion and grievous bodily harm”, he said.

This joint operation is another example of the successful working partnership between the Queensland Police Service and Australian Crime Commission.

Earlier this year, Operation Golf Brazen, a year long operation resulting in the arrest of 77 people on 220 charges, was closed.

Operation Brazen which also involved the Crime and Misconduct Commission for financial investigations and hearings, targeted the trafficking, manufacturing and large scale distribution of illicit drugs.

The operation was focused on three syndicates who had significant ongoing links and were involved in the manufacture and distribution of substantial quantities of drugs within Queensland and across Australia. The group included a number of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs in Queensland and Western Australia.

“While these two operations (Creed and Brazen) were separate, the partnership between the agencies has resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of drugs and equipment used to produce drugs.

“The commitment of these agencies has prevented a mass quantity of illicit drugs flooding the market and with Schoolies and New Year’s celebrations fast approaching, the timing could not have more important,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Mike Condon, State Crime Operations Command said.

“The agency partnership and the coordinated approach has enabled us to enhance our intelligence capabilities and investigative abilities to target those involved in high level criminality and to disrupt four criminal syndicates on the Gold Coast,” Mr Jim Duffy said.