BIKER NEWS -- A SENIOR officer from the Gangs Taskforce has revealed members of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang — patched member...
BIKER NEWS -- A SENIOR officer from the Gangs Taskforce has revealed members of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang — patched members and nominees — have been looking to set up a chapter in the Top End.
Police fear recent sightings of the Bandidos members in Darwin will break a longstanding peace between Top End bikie gang chapters.
“We obviously suspect that they are looking to move in on the local drugs and prostitution business,” the officer, who did not want to be named, told the Sunday Territorian.
The Rebels and the Hells Angels have long-established chapters in Darwin, which police say have settled into a “relatively peaceful” status quo.
The officer said police were particularly concerned about the Bandidos’ historical rivalries with the Rebels.
“But in reality, none of them really like each other that much,” he said.
Police are calling on landlords, particularly in industrial estates and the rural area, to think twice about who they rent their properties out to.
“We know they’ll want to set up a clubhouse, and from there it’s only a matter of time before they’re here long term,” the officer said.
“There’s also a thought that tougher interstate laws have pushed outlaw motorcycle gangs out of (southern capitals) and in this case, to Darwin.”
Police are also concerned about the gang’s effect on public safety.
“The public also need to know that if they see any disturbances, to not approach these people and not get involved,” the officer said.
“If the public sees anything or hears anything, tell police, because we won’t hesitate to take action.”
The officer said at least eight gang members, including four patched members, had been spotted around Darwin in recent weeks.
But recent events show that even a small presence of interstate gangs trying to muscle in on new turf can destabilise the delicate relationship between existing bikie gangs.
In April, a Melbourne court altered the bail of former Comancheros national boss Mick Murray, allowing him to holiday in Darwin.
Local Rebels members spotted Murray on Mitchell St and bashed him.
More Comancheros arrived within weeks for a retribution attack on then Rebels chapter president Jax Smith.
Smith has since quit the Rebels.
This article was first published on NOVEMBER 01, 2015
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