Bandidos bikie raid: Victorian police arrest five Bandidos bikies over blackmailing ring
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Bandidos stabbed in nighttime raids as five cyclists are accused of blackmailing terrified victim
- Victoria police arrested five members and associates of the Bandidos on Tuesday
- The arrests were over alleged blackmail and threats
- Detectives conducted a series of nighttime raids in Melbourne and Geelong
- They arrested five members and associates and also found drugs and weapons
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Five bicycle gang members and associates of the Bandidos have been arrested during dramatic nighttime raids for their alleged involvement in a blackmail gang.
Detectives from the Echo Taskforce and officers from the VIPER Taskforce stormed properties in Melbourne and Geelong in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The raids were part of an investigation into alleged threats against a terrified victim in a group earlier this year.
Police have not released the identity of the alleged victim or the group they belong to.
Five motorcyclists and Bandidos employees have been arrested after a series of nighttime raids
Detectives from the Echo Taskforce and the VIPER Taskforce conducted raids on properties in Melbourne and Geelong on Tuesday morning
During their search warrants, detectives are said to have found drugs and weapons in two properties.
A patched member, 53, who is a division vice president of the Bandidos, was arrested at his home in Rowville.
Officers also found brass knuckles on his property.
He has been charged with blackmail and possession of the prohibited weapon.
Another patched member, 53, was arrested at his home in Norlane, where police are reported to have been arrested discovered a hydroponic drug set up along with cannabis plants, dried cannabis, cocaine and amphetamine.
The man is suspected of drug possession.
A Bandidos chapter bearer, 41, was arrested in Narre Warren and charged with blackmail.
A probationary member, 35, was taken into custody in Cranbourne East and charged with blackmail and possession of cannabis.
A woman, 55, was arrested at her home in Hoppers Crossing, but was later released.
The Norlane man has been released on bail and will appear before the Geelong Magistrates’ Court in January.
The other three men were also granted bail and will appear before the Latrobe Magistrates’ Court next Tuesday.
The arrests of the Bandidos members and associates were over an alleged blackmail
Three of the arrested bikers members were charged with blackmail, one was also charged with having brass knuckles on his property, two others were charged with drug offenses
Echo Taskforce Detective Acting Inspector Ash Ryan said a number of police activities recently targeted the Bandidos and that officers would continue to take “action against these groups.”
“If they think they can operate above the law, then they are wrong,” she said.
“We will continue to target their criminal activities, whatever form that takes.”
Inspector Ryan added that while it has been difficult for victims to come forward to talk to police about criminal cases, it has “proved overwhelmingly the safest approach.”
“We will hold violators to account and do everything we can to eradicate their violent and illegal businesses.”
The investigation is ongoing.