BN- The Finks have opened a new clubhouse in Melbourne, only months after the motorbike gang appeared to be on life support. The gang, on...
BN- The Finks have opened a new clubhouse in Melbourne, only months after the motorbike gang appeared to be on life support.
The gang, once considered among the most dangerous in Australia, was severely weakened when the majority of its members joined the US-founded Mongols in 2013.
But police revealed on Monday that a Finks clubhouse had opened in Ringwood, the latest sign that the gang was making a comeback.
Police allegedly found a large haul of ecstasy tablets, methamphetamine, ice, steroids and cash after searching the car of a man who left the clubhouse on Sunday.
A 24-year-old from Chirnside Park was charged with drug offences and possessing proceeds of crime and was bailed to attend the Ringwood Magistrates' Court on August 31.
At least 10 Finks from Sydney, including several of the gang's national office bearers, attended the chapter last weekend.
A business operator near the clubhouse believe the Finks had only recently moved in.
Another neighbouring business owner seemed afraid of reprisals, saying, "I'm not talking to you, I don't know who you are."
The Victoria Police anti-bikie Echo Taskforce said last September they had thought the Finks "had all but died out in Australia".
But, after an alleged attack by nine Finks on a Ballarat nightclub last June, there was evidence they were "trying to revamp themselves".
The gang changed its logo last year, from a drunken, pot-bellied King's jester called Bung, to a more muscular version, brandishing a handgun and extending a middle finger.
The modified logo was considered a not-too-subtle message to the former Finks who had "patched over" to the Mongols.
The club has also strengthened links to the Comanchero gang, which it describes as a "brother" club.
There have been other signs the Finks are regrouping.
Earlier this month, the Riverstone clubhouse was raided by police, who found two Harley-Davidsons suspected of being rebirthed.
A senior gang member and three associates were charged with mortgage fraud, while 12 guns and $1.1 million in cannabis was found when police searched other properties linked to the gang.
Several members of the chapter were among those who travelled to Ringwood last Friday, posting pictures on Facebook from the trip down the Hume Freeway.
In March, police charged four NSW-based Finks with fraud offences, after they allegedly used fake addresses to get ACT drivers licences.
More: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/finks-motorbike-gang-open-melbourne-clubhouse-20150427-1mugm6.html
