The grim reality of attending a Bandidos funeral is revealed – as mourners line up to get swabbed, tested and scanned by cops
The final farewell of a motorcycle boss has exposed the daunting task of assembling an entire gang in broad daylight, including dozens of police officers.
A funeral commemorating the life of Bandidos president Peter Martin after he died in a motorcycle accident last month was attended by hundreds of members on Saturday.
Up to 500 members attended the mandatory service held at the Port Macquarie Race Club on Oxley Highway on the NSW Mid North Coast.
The former Bandidos president, also known as Bandido George, was transported to the service in a motorcycle sidecar driven by the Guard of Honor.
Mr Martin’s shocking death on September 10 on a highway in Sydney’s west sparked an outpouring of grief from family, friends and fellow gang members.
When members arrived shortly after 10am, they were swabbed, tested, scanned and registered before they could pay their respects.
In an awkward moment before Mr Martin’s funeral, the guard of honor in charge of the hearse had to get off his bike to be processed by police.
The honor guard had to dismount and remove their helmets while the coffin was left in the hot sun for several minutes prior to the funeral service.
Former president of the local Bandidos chapter in western Sydney, Peter Martin (pictured), was remembered at a funeral service on the NSW Mid North Coast on Saturday
One man, who arrived in a car with high-ranking Bandidos, was led away in handcuffs
Mr Martin’s body was transported to the wake in a sidecar
Members who were driving were breathalysed by police officers outside
Members were swabbed, tested and scanned before entering
Despite the sad circumstances and the presence of the police, the mood among those present was pleasant
Between 40 and 50 officers, including Sydney’s Raptor Strike Force unit, traveled 390 kilometers from the city to keep a close eye on events.
Members of the gang had expected the heavy police presence and were largely unfazed by the ten police vehicles parked outside the racing club.
Bandidos from Queensland, Perth, Sydney and the Central Coast attended the service and were recognizable by their jacket patches.
All identifying members of the gang were photographed from the front and back outside the venue before being allowed inside.
If members drove to the event, police also checked their driver’s license and registration upon arrival and performed a breath test.
Drug swabs and metal detectors scanning for weapons were also in rotation as Bandidos went through the lengthy process of securing a seat for the agency.
A regional Bandidos meeting will be held during the vigil on Saturday, likely at the home of Bandidos member Mitchell Sutton.
One man even brought his passport with him for identification at the event
Outside the funeral, a man is scanned by a metal detector
A police officer is seen checking the Bandidos colors
A man puts his colors back on after getting the green light from the police
One man, who arrived in a car with high-ranking Bandidos, was led away in handcuffs and in a paddy wagon – only to appear to grab him on the chin.
Despite the club’s reputation, dozens of prospect and probationary members of all ages attended the service.
The mood was pleasant despite the sad circumstances and the large police presence.
Those who were not members of the Bandidos were held up for some time while each bike was processed by police.
Two lanes were each marked by officers with orange cones, with motorcycles and cars in total spread across the four lanes.
Two motorcycles were fined by the police for defect reports and two were taken away after they were deemed not roadworthy.
Mr. Martin’s service lasted just under an hour, with his family, comrades and even young daughter offering words for the beloved president.
Members also parked one of Mr Martin’s beloved Harley Davidson motorcycles next to the coffin while the proceedings took place.
The Bandidos, swarmed by police, remained in good spirits as they were processed
Two lanes were each marked with orange cones by officers
A woman witnesses a man’s license being checked as he arrives at the event
An officer is seen inspecting a motorcycle parked outside the Port Macquarie funeral