MOLE from bikie gang the Bandidos has demanded money and his name cleared if police want him to rat out his friends to solve a Corio man's 10-year-old murder case.

MOLE from bikie gang the Bandidos has demanded money and his name cleared if police want him to rat out his friends to solve a Corio man's 10-year-old murder case.

A coroner yesterday said a "fear of reprisals" against anyone who co-operated with police was hindering investigations into the death of Earl Mooring.

A finding into the grandfather's grisly death yesterday revealed the 54-year-old was lured to a Whittington house where he was assaulted, then he was bashed and tortured at a second home.

His body was thrown into his car boot and driven to New South Wales, where he was dumped down an embankment.

The investigation remains open and a $500,0000 reward, one of the biggest in the state, remains for anyone leading police to Mr Mooring's killer.

Victorian State Coroner Jennifer Coate told the hearing former Bandido bikie Steve Utah, who has publicly confessed to disposing of the body, had a "list of requirements" that needed to be met if he was to testify.

She said they included funds for legal representation, he be granted indemnity from giving evidence, compensation, withdrawal of outstanding police charges in Queensland, his testimony remain secret and "anything else I was promised in 2004".

Ms Coate said she did not have the power to ensure his demands were met.

Mr Utah, who is now in hiding, was charged with Mr Mooring's murder in 2004 but the charges were later dropped after the Office of Public Prosecutions said there was not enough evidence.

Mr Mooring was last seen leaving a friend's Norlane home in October 2000 before being lured to the Whittington home of his girlfriend, who cannot be named, where a group of males was waiting for him.

Ms Coate said the girlfriend and Mr Utah were aware Mr Mooring had up to $120,000 stashed at his home.

"Investigating police also suspect that people were laying in wait for Mr Mooring to arrive at (the girlfriend's) home so they could pressure Mr Mooring into revealing the location of his alleged cash savings believed to be hidden in his home," she said.

"Mr Mooring was assaulted ... and then conveyed to a second location were he was tortured, to reveal the location of his alleged savings, and subsequently killed."

In 2004, Mr Utah led police to Towrang where Mr Mooring's skeletal remains were found.

Ms Coate said, despite the best effort of police, they had not been able to secure a conviction leading to more suffering for Mr Mooring's family.

"These proceedings must feel like an inadequate end to the years of waiting for answers," she said.

"I extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Mr Mooring for their loss in such awful circumstances."

Mr Mooring's girlfriend was given a three-year suspended jail sentence in the Supreme Court for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Strike Force Raptor officers have charged a high-ranking member of an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang following investigations into an alleged road-rage incident

Strike Force Raptor officers have charged a high-ranking member of an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang following investigations into an alleged road-rage incident at Kingswood in February.

Police charged a 26-year-old man on Friday 15 April, 2011 following investigations into the offence. The man is allegedly a high-ranking member of the Nomads OMCG.

He was charged with affray, armed with intent to commit indictable offence, use intimidation/ violence to unlawfully influence, and destroy or damage property.

He will remain in custody to appear at Penrith Local Court on 27 May 2011.

The charges relate to an alleged road-rage incident that occurred on 7 February this year in which a near-crash occurred between a vehicle on the Northern Road at Kingswood which was being driven by a 37-year-old man, and a vehicle containing two men including the 26-year-old.

The 26-year-old then allegedly overtook the other car, striking the 37-year-old’s vehicle with a crow bar. The 26-year-old man and his driver, who were both armed with weapons, then exited the car and allegedly threatened the 37-year-old man before he fled the scene in his vehicle.

Strike Force Lonach comprises officers from the Gangs Squad and Strike Force Raptor and was established to investigate the several incidents.

prison officer who guarded Hawke's Bay gangster John Gillies is begging authorities not to release the "evil" prisoner.

The Mongrel Mob member, who bashed policemen while on parole, is set to be released from prison a year early despite concerns about his propensity for violence.

A Parole Board panel yesterday released its decision to free him from prison next month.

Hawke's Bay Today uncovered an email sent to the Department of Corrections from a prison guard, who said he had known Gillies for 10 years at Auckland Prison and held grave fears for the public's safety.

"Please do not release John Gillies," the email said. "You look in his eyes and he has no soul ... in short he is evil and nasty. I have known this man for 10 years. He will hurt again. I hope it's not my family and not yours but some family will suffer due to his release. Keep John in prison and away from us, I beg you. He will hurt again."

Gillies has been in prison since he was jailed for seven years in 2005 for assaulting two policemen and possessing cocaine and methamphetamine.

His arrest came on May 29, 2004, after a 13km car chase involving speeds of about 145km/h between Hastings and Waipawa.

Police found 10.5g of cocaine, 1.3g of crystal methamphetamine and cash totaling $21,040 in his vehicle.

The Mongrel Mob member has 106 convictions, 34 of them for violence, including one for stabbing Gisborne policeman Nigel Hendrikse with a screwdriver in 1993.

In a statement released yesterday, the Parole Board said Gillies had been "well-behaved" recently and showed signs of maturity.


"He turns 40 years of age next month and appears to be focused upon now trying to reintegrate into the community and to have the support of his family," the board said.

Gillies had shown "increased insight into his problems dealing with anger and violence", and had an improved ability to deal with difficult incidents in prison, it said.

However, the board stated he was still assessed as a high risk offender with close links to the Mongrel Mob - some of his family are members - and had shown unwillingness to undergo a drug counselling programme in prison.

In the past he had also escaped from custody and committed serious and violent offences.

Gillies was originally set to be released from prison on May 17, 2012.

An array of special conditions were imposed on his early parole, including that he abstain from all drugs and alcohol and stay at an appointed address until November unless he is given permission to leave by his parole officer.

He was also required to undergo a psychological assessment and receive drug and alcohol counselling.

An appearance before the Parole Board in 2007 saw him ordered to do drug counselling before he could be considered for parole.

Gillies was one of four Mongrel Mob members awarded compensation and an apology from the Crown in 2000 after they said they were tortured and abused by guards at Hawkes Bay's Mangaroa Prison in 1991 and 1993.

The Crown Law Office, acting under an Official Information Act request, said the total amount paid did not exceed $325,000.

He was also the subject of controversy when it was revealed he had a large "Mongrel Mob Forever" tattoo removed from his face during 15 $300 laser sessions paid for by taxpayers.

Police believe Eastern States-based street gang Notorious is trafficking big quantities of drugs into WA.

Assistant Commissioner Nick Anticich raised concerns about the gang eyeing off the WA drug market when addressing hundreds of lawyers at a convention of prosecutors last July.

This week, he said police were aware Notorious members had been to WA.

"Notorious have had no established premises and/or presence in Western Australia but we are aware of members who have been to WA," Mr Anticich said.

"It is suspected that these visits were related to establishing a presence or conducting crime-related business.

"Reliable intelligence indicates that some larger amounts of drugs coming into Western Australia from eastern Australia have been facilitated by persons linked to members of that organised crime group.

"While Notorious does not have a permanent presence in WA, it does appear likely that they have been involved in supplying drugs to a high-price market here in WA.

"The Perth price for amphetamines is between double and triple the price on the eastern seaboard."

Mr Anticich said Notorious came to prominence about 2007 around Sydney with a membership drawn mainly from the Nomads outlaw motorcycle gang and youths of Middle Eastern background.

Reports from the east suggest Notorious rose from a splinter group of the Nomads and gang members have been fighting for control of Sydney's Kings Cross.

That struggle has included shootings at property linked to rival gang members and the bombing of a Hells Angels' clubhouse in an apparent revenge attack.

Eastern States newspaper reports describe Notorious as the "Nike bikies" because of a preference for high-end sport sneakers, brand-name T-shirts and clean shaven appearances rather than the stereotypical image of a leather-clad bikie with a bushy beard. They were also called bikies without bikes.

There has been a marked rise in gangs in WA in recent years, with two - the Finks and Rock Machine - having bloody fights with established WA gangs.

BIKIE gangs in Australia are feared to be uniting with violent Mexican drug cartels in a bid to bring cocaine into the country.

As new figures reveal organised crime costs Australia $15 billion a year, the Herald Sun can reveal that three of Australia's biggest recent cocaine busts had a Mexican connection.

The Lone Wolves bikie gang is alleged to have links with $12.5 million worth of cocaine found in a shipping container in Sydney last September.

Almost 50kg of the drug was allegedly concealed in a shipping container from Panama that passed through Mexico's busiest port, Manzanillo.

More than 460kg of cocaine found on a yacht in Queensland in October originated in Ecuador, but had links to Mexico.

And a Mexican man in Melbourne allegedly sorted through 240kg of Mexican cocaine concealed inside pavers.

The Australian Federal Police has re-established its Los Angeles office to combat cocaine smuggling from Mexico, where 30,000 people in five years have been killed in the country's bloody drug wars.

"Mexico in particular is having an extreme impact on Australia," AFP national manager for serious and organised crime Kevin Zuccato told the Herald Sun.

The Australian Crime Commission will today release its latest report on organised crime.

It flags cocaine and violence from Mexican drug lords as a major threat to Australia.

"The combined annual turnover of the Mexican drug cartels, which are increasingly exporting cocaine to Australia, is estimated to exceed $10 billion," the report says.

"There is concern that they may also import the violent practices which have been reported overseas."

One of the men charged is a member of the Rock Machine outlaw motorcycle gang and the other is a member of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang.

Two men from rival motorcycle gangs have been charged over a violent fight involving chairs being thrown at a Perth shopping centre.

One of the men charged is a member of the Rock Machine outlaw motorcycle gang and the other is a member of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang.

Police say the fight broke out at Kingsway Shopping Centre on Monday at about 2.10pm (WST).

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During the altercation, chairs were thrown and several punches and kicks were exchanged, police said.

Gang Crime Squad detectives executed a search warrant on a house linked to the Rock Machine gang member and allegedly found some ammunition.

A 26-year-old man was charged with fighting in public to cause fear, and possessing unlicensed ammunition.

He is due to appear in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on April 20.

A 27-year-old Rebels gang member was charged with fighting in public to cause fear, and assault occasioning bodily harm.

The assault charge is related to a separate incident at a nightclub in Fremantle on October 24, 2010, which did not involve bikies, police said.

The man will appear in the Joondalup Magistrates Court on April 22.

Police in Perth have vowed to continue cracking down on bikies as a bitter feud between two outlaw motorcycle gangs threatens to spiral out of control.

In the latest incident, a member of the Rock Machine has his house in Marden Road sprayed with bullets and gunshot in the Perth suburb of Thornlie.

The bullets were fired into a car on the front lawn and the house was peppered with gunshot.

One neighbour, who was still shaking when he spoke to the ABC on condition of anonymity, said he was woken by the shots.

"I thought my house was getting smashed up," he said.

"There was just a great big loud noise and my dog was just going absolutely ballistic at the door. I went outside and heard someone speed off.

"It just scared the hell out of me."

Another neighbour says the house was one of dozens raided by police from the Organised Gang Squad during a recent crackdown on bikie gangs.

"The police came very quietly at 6:30 in the morning and entered the house," she said.

"There was a lot of forensic people that came and they removed what we thought looked like shotguns."

It also understood police seized a WW11 bomb from the house.

Police are working to establish a motive for the shooting but are expecting little help from the victim who fled before they arrived.

The bikies are notorious for their code of silence but there's no doubt police attention will focus on the Rebels bikie gang which is locked in a bitter feud with the Rock Machine.

A member of the Rock Machine has been charged with the attempted murder of Rebels leader Nick Martin.

Mr Martin was shot in the arm outside his house in the Perth suburb of Bayswater in March.

A Perth court suppressed the name of the alleged shooter for his own safety.

Police say the feud is over drug turf but another theory doing the rounds is that the Rebels are upset over the defection of a gang member to the Rock Machine.

When this feud erupted police were already battling to control another war between the Coffin Cheaters and the Finks.

Hostilities between the two gangs became public when they clashed violently at the Kwinana Motorplex last year.

One Finks member was shot in the leg and another had three fingers severed.

Five members of the Finks were later jailed for two years by the Corruption and Crime Commission for failing to answer questions about the fight.

That brawl prompted police to reassure the public they were not in danger from the gangs, and in a show of strength police later raided dozens of bikie properties across Perth seizing, drugs firearms and ammunition.

Last month, a member of the Rock Machine was followed home by several men after being released from prison and bashed.

However, the Police Commissioner, Karl O'Callaghan, later revealed the bikie, who refused to co-operate, had been attacked by his own gang members for removing a club tattoo.

"It just shows you the type of people we are dealing with here," he said.

"Probably the lowest common denominator in our society."

Against this backdrop police have continued to gather intelligence on the bikie gangs and have chalked up some arrests.

Four men, including three truck drivers, were charged earlier this month with trafficking 29 kilograms of cannabis into WA.

The haul had an estimated street value of $1.4 million.

Police say the drug syndicate, which had been using the interstate road freight industry to smuggle drugs, was linked to the Gypsy Jokers.

And police have charged a high ranking member of the Gypsy Jokers with drug offences.

It is alleged he was caught with half a kilogram of methylamphetamine.

These arrests show police are making inroads but there's no doubt they fear the simmering tensions between the gangs will boil over into a bloody war.

LEGISLATION to outlaw bikie gangs and prevent members from associating with each other are still not being enforced despite being rushed through State Parliament.

The laws, passed in April, were aimed at dismantling warring bikie gangs and cracking down on criminal activities after Hells Angel Anthony Zervas was killed in a brawl at Sydney Airport.

But four months on, no bikie gang had been declared unlawful and no control orders were in place to stop members from associating with each other.

Opposition Police spokesman Mike Gallagher said: ``Bikies should have nowhere to hide, no place to convene with each other to plan illegal activities and no rest from police.

“There is no point in enacting special laws to protect the community from the violence and lawlessness of outlaw bikie gangs unless those laws are used.’‘

He made the comments after Police Minister Tony Kelly announced Strikeforce Raptor would be extended for a further six months and have an extra 13 specialised officers including detectives from the Criminal Organisation Unit.

Defending NSW Police, Mr Kelly said officers were currently working hard on the matter assembling “water tight evidence’’ to support a declaration application.

“What police must put together is probably equivalent in work load to preparing for a major conspiracy trial with multiple defendants,’’ he said.

“That said, the Government is keen to see the first declaration made - but this is ultimately an operational matter in the hands of police and their lawyers.’‘

Mr Kelly said there had been 317 arrests and 619 charges laid against bikies from across Sydney putting a “serious dent’’ into their criminal activities since Strikeforce Raptor was set up four months ago.

“We will throw every resource possible into attacking the violent and criminal behaviour being undertaken by these gangs,’’ he said.

Guns, rifles, tasers, ammunition, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines, three Harley Davidsons, two boats, two four-wheel drives and $780,000 in cash had also been seized.

Finks bikie has been jailed for 12 months for wielding a knife in public and threatening to slit the throat of a strip club bouncer who was trying to evict him.

But Clovis Chikonga, 24, may not spend any extra time in jail.

He is serving a two-year sentence for contempt of court after refusing to co-operate with the Corruption and Crime Commission investigation into a bloody brawl with rival gang the Coffin Cheaters.

District Court Chief Judge Peter Martino today said he had no power to make Chikonga's 12-month sentence cumulative on top of his contempt sentence. He said the contempt sentence was not a fixed term and Chikonga could be discharged at any time if he "purged himself of the contempt."

Chikonga pleaded guilty to threatening to harm the crowd controller and going armed to cause fear after he was told to leave the Doll House club in North Perth in the early hours of September 12, 2009.

The bikie failed to show for a scheduled three-day trial last November, prompting an arrest warrant to be issued, but he pleaded guilty over the incident after a threat to kill charge was downgraded to threat to harm.

Chikonga's defence lawyer Alana Padmanabham said her client was drunk and there "was no capacity to make good on those threats."

She said Chikonga had endured a difficult upbringing, coming to Australia as a young refugee and witnessing domestic violence between his parents, including his father's attempted murder of his mother. Ms Padmanabham said it was "no surprise" that Chikonga began offending from a young age.

State prosecutor Marina Greenshields said these offences were at the serious end of the scale and told the court that Chikonga was "fast acquiring a serious criminal record", which included convictions for two counts of grievous bodily harm and one count of unlawful wounding - all which involved stabbings with knives.

Chief Judge Martino said the crowd controllers were just trying to do their jobs when they asked Chikonga to leave after he started playing with a DJ console and using his mobile phone in an area he was not allowed to. He said he waved around a flick knife and on several occasions threatened to harm the crowd controller, using the words: "I'll slit your throat."

Chief Judge Martino warned Chikonga he had a choice to make - to continue down his current path and risk further jail time or stop associating with "people who don't comply with the law" and start living a law-abiding life.

He sentenced Chikonga to 12 months in jail for the threat to harm charge and added an eight-month concurrent sentence for the going armed to cause fear charge.

Chikonga was one of five Finks bikies - along with Stephen John Wallace, Tristan Allbeury, Stephen Silvestro and Troy Smith - to be given two-year prison sentences by Supreme Court Chief Justice Wayne Martin for refusing to co-operate with the CCC when they were summonsed to answer questions about the violent brawl with the Coffin Cheaters at the Kwinana Motorplex last October.

Contempt cases against Coffin Cheaters' Benjamin David Ortin and David Jon Reid, who were accused of lying to the watchdog about the brawl with the Finks, were dropped last week.

car believed to be owned by a member of the Rock Machine bikie gang was sprayed with bullets in Perth's southern suburbs early this morning.

A car believed to be owned by a member of the  Rock  Machine bikie gang was sprayed with bullets in Perth's southern suburbs early this morning.

A police spokesman said officers were called to Marden Road in Thornlie about 3.30am after a member of the public reported hearing gunshots.

He confirmed shots had been fired but it appeared nobody was hurt.

A beige sedan parked in the front yard of a house was hit in the drive-by shooting. There are bullet holes in the left rear window and back window. There is also damage to the outside of the house.

Last month during a police crackdown on bikies across Perth, detectives cordoned off Marden Road after a live WWII mortar round was found in a house.

Forensic officers are at the scene examining the verge and police are stationed at both ends of the street.

The latest incident follows a brawl between rival bikie gangs, Rock Machine and Rebels, at a weekend music festival.

Eight move-on notices were issued at the Supafest music festival at Arena Joondalup after disputes between gang members turned into physical confrontations.

It is understood no charges were laid.

Tensions continued to run high yesterday when a fight broke out in a Kingsway shopping centre, just metres from families and children.

Witnesses said the gang members used whatever they could get their hands on, throwing chairs and food as the fight progressed.

The gangs have been embroiled in a bloody feud in recent months, largely fuelled by the defection of Michael Xanthoudakis from the Rebels to the Rock Machine.

Members of rival motorcycle gangs the Rock Machine and the Rebels were issued move on notices

Members of rival motorcycle gangs the Rock Machine and the Rebels were issued move on notices at a music festival in Perth on the weekend.

Police say members of the rival gangs had words during the Supafest concert at Joondalup Arena.

The men were issued with move-on notices and left the premises.

Tensions between the two gangs are high.

A member of the Rock Machine has been charged with the attempted shooting murder of Rebels state president Nick Martin.

A South Australian man whose body was found in a shallow desert grave littered with beer bottles was murdered for failing to pay a drug debt

A South Australian man whose body was found in a shallow desert grave littered with beer bottles was murdered for failing to pay a drug debt, a coronial inquest has heard.

In her opening address to the inquiry, counsel assisting the coroner Libby Armitage said Peter Wayne Murphy, 46, went missing on August 17, 2008, and was last seen that day in a car with two men who were suspects in his murder when he disappeared.

Directions marked on a map by Gregory Allan Russell led police on June 2 last year to Mr Murphy's body, buried in bushland about 91km down the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs.


During the inquest in Alice Springs on Tuesday, Mr Murphy's family, including three of his five siblings from South Australia, watched a police video showing the crime scene and Mr Murphy's decomposed body.

Ms Armitage asked that the vision be released to the media, with strict conditions, in the hope of encouraging more witnesses to come forward.

"It would have been impossible for anyone to locate Mr Murphy's remains but for the information that was provided," she said, adding that the grave site was very remote.

Ms Armitage told the inquest autopsy reports had revealed Mr Murphy suffered a fractured cheek bone and been shot twice in the head.

Mr Murphy and Mr Russell worked in the building and construction industry, and had at various times worked in the remote Aboriginal community of Yuendumu, about 300km north west of Alice Springs, with a man who was known to most as "Wog".

Ms Armitage said Mr Murphy had been selling marijuana in Yuendumu and owed Mr Russell in excess of $100,000 for supplying the cannabis.

Mr Murphy was living in a hotel at the time of his disappearance, while Mr Russell was sharing a house in Alice Springs with Mr Murphy's ex-wife, Tamara Murphy.

The inquest heard Mr Russell had, in a drunken conversation leading up to Mr Murphy's disappearance, complained about being owed money and asked Ms Murphywhether her ex-husband had life insurance.

Ms Murphy had reported Mr Murphy missing and told police Mr Russell had done a number of strange things on the day the father of her children went missing, Ms Armitage said.

She said he had obtained rubber gloves, carried a handgun in his pocket and locked the doors of the house.

She told police Mr Russell went out for several hours on August 17 and returned to the house with Wog, whose real name is Adam Joseph Filippone.

Mr Filippone told police he was working on the day in question, but the inquest has raised questions about the reliability of his alibi.

Mr Murphy's sister, Cheryl Smith, told the inquest Ms Murphy had telephoned her a couple of days later and said Mr Murphy was "no longer on this earth" and that police had placed her and the children in witness protection.

"I still believe Tammy (Ms Murphy) was involved, either directly or indirectly," Ms Smith said.

"She never asked me if I'd seen him," she said, adding that Ms Murphy had never reported Mr Murphy as missing when he'd disappeared for extended periods in the past.

Ms Smith said she knew her brother gambled quite heavily and assumed he used drugs, but she denied any knowledge of him being involved in motorcycle gangs.

The inquest heard Mr Russell had told his daughter he was a hit-man for an outlaw motorcycle gang.

A recording of Mr Russell confessing to murdering Mr Murphy was played on Tuesday, but the contents were suppressed until the end of the inquest to enable reliable cross-examination of witnesses.

Mr Russell reportedly committed suicide not long after he confessed and led police to the body.

Mr Filippone was extradited from Queensland last year and charged with murdering Mr Murphy, but the case against him was dropped at the committal hearing.

Two men have been arrested and several fines issued in a police crackdown on the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang in Dubbo in western New South Wales.

The weekend operation by Strike Force Raptor coincided with a gathering of Rebels members and associates at its Dubbo clubhouse.
Officers issued two fines to the clubhouse for breaching its liquor licence conditions, and police say drunk gang members were stopped from entering local hotels.
Police raided the house of a 46 year old Dubbo man who was charged with possessing a prohibited weapon.
An alleged high ranking member of the Kiama Rebels was charged for breaching bail conditions, and police say a bikie was caught speeding more than 60 kilometres over the limit.
A car yard was also fined for failing to comply with licence conditions.

cracked a major drug syndicate, which they say involve Gypsy Jokers gang members transporting cannabis from South Australia into metropolitan WA.

Police claim to have cracked a major drug syndicate, which they say involve Gypsy Jokers gang members transporting cannabis from South Australia into metropolitan WA.

Three South Australian truck drivers and a 41-year-old Kalgoorlie man with links to the bikie gang have all been charged over the seizure of 29.1 kilograms of cannabis, with a street value of close to $1.5 million.

Serious and organised crime superintendent Charlie Carver said WA, SA and Kalgoorlie police as well as Australian customs launched the joint operation to investigate the drug syndicate's activities.


Police have cracked a major drug syndicate transporting cannabis from South Australia into metropolitan WA, uncovering nearly 30 kilograms of cannabis in three trucks. Photo: WA Police
The four men were all arrested last night after police tracked three trucks that left Adelaide on Wednesday to a location in Coolgardie, where they met up with the 41-year-old Kalgoorlie man.

Superintendent Carver said the 41-year-old man's car was searched, and 3.2 kilograms of cannabis was allegedly uncovered.

The three trucks were then followed to Southern Cross where they were searched, and officers allege to have found 25.9 kilograms of high-quality cannabis, packed in boxes in vacuum-sealed bags. In addition to this, $25,000 in cash was found.

Superintendent Carver said investigations are continuing into the syndicate's activities in both states, and that they had made a major dent in the gang's drug trade in WA.

"We do believe the drugs were destined for the streets of Perth," he said.

He said police looked into seizing the trucks that had been used to transport the drugs into WA, however the drivers appeared to be the ones solely responsible for the alleged trafficking and the company played no role.

"This is probably one of the biggest seizures for a long time," he said.

"I like to think we have made a dent, we certainly made a dent with the three truck drivers and a 41-year-old [being charged].

"I'm sure the outlaw motorcycle gang members involved will financially suffer in relation to this."

All four men have had their bail refused, and will be appearing in court this month.

Coffin Cheaters were called before a secret hearing of the CCC last year to answer questions about a violent brawl their gang had with members of the Finks at the Kwinana Motorplex.

The Corruption and Crime Commission (CCC) in Western Australia has dropped a contempt case against two bikies who refused to give evidence about a brawl with another bikie gang.

The Coffin Cheaters were called before a secret hearing of the CCC last year to answer questions about a violent brawl their gang had with members of the Finks at the Kwinana Motorplex.

One Finks member was shot in the leg while another, Stephen Wallace, had three fingers severed. Two other bikies were also injured.

Five members of the Finks, including Mr Wallace, were later jailed for two years for refusing to answer questions about the fight.

The two Coffin Cheaters were meant to face a hearing in the Supreme Court today but the lawyer for the CCC said it no longer wished to continue with the case.

The CCC had refused to hand over documents sought by the bikies' lawyers.

The court heard the CCC had issues with the extent of the material it would have to disclose to the bikies for the case.

The bikies were awarded an undisclosed amount in court costs

Australian outlaw motorcycle gangs are moving into the illegal trade of protected spiders and snakes because of the high returns and low penalties if caught

Australian outlaw motorcycle gangs are moving into the illegal trade of protected spiders and snakes because of the high returns and low penalties if caught, The (Sydney) Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday.

Officers of Strike Force Raptor -- set up two years ago by the News South Wales state police department to target the illegal activities of biker gangs -- said cops often found illegal fauna during raids on gang premises.

An American corn snake, a Chinese soft-backed turtle, a Mexican tarantula, four tree frogs and a chameleon dragon were seized when officers raided a property in Sydney linked to the Rebels' bikie gang last week.

One officer said he had recently arrested a biker associate in the state's North Coast region with a huge number of illegal reptiles and animals. He also had a large stash of weapons.

"[Bikers] also like to have the snakes and spiders for image as much as for profit-making," the officer said.

The illegal buying and selling of protected fauna has been identified as the third largest illegal activity worldwide, behind running drugs and guns.

go-go dancer on her first day of work and a man who said he was a member of the Pagans motorcycle gang became involved with police in an incident at the Round Valley Inn on Route 22.

go-go dancer on her first day of work and a man who said he was a member of the Pagans motorcycle gang became involved with police in an incident at the Round Valley Inn on Route 22.

The incident began about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday when police were dispatched to the establishment on a report of a possible assault between a man and a woman.

Arriving at the scene, Patrolman Matthew Murphy saw a 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue attempting to pull out of the parking lot. He pulled up to the car and saw a woman who was upset and crying in the passenger seat, police said.

The officer discovered that the woman, a dancer at the bar who goes by the name of "Giselle," was found by a bouncer to be engaged in an unacceptable form of a "lap dance" with Christopher Pond, 33, of Telford, Pa., police said.

Police also learned that it was "Giselle's" first day dancing at the bar.

Pond was the driver of the Oldsmobile, police said.

The woman told Murphy that when the manager told her to put her clothes on and leave the bar, she became agitated and tried to punch the manager, who then attempted to restrain her, police said.

Although "Giselle" claimed that the manager struck her, Murphy did not see any evidence to substantiate the allegation, police said.

Meanwhile, Pond told the patrolman that he was a member of the Pagans motorcycle gang and that he would have his fellow Pagans "come to the bar," police said. Pond added his girlfriend, who was not present, was a police officer.

But as Pond was talking, Murphy smelled alcohol on his breath and started having Pond perform standardized field sobriety tests.

Pond soon refused to continue, placed his hands behind his back without prompting, and told the officers "just arrest me," police said.

Pond was charged with driving while intoxicated and careless driving. He was later released to the custody of his girlfriend, and his vehicle was towed and impounded.

"Giselle," who was not charged, refused Sgt. Thomas DeRosa's assistance and walked to a nearby bar.

Police in West Australia are concerned that a drug turf war between rival biker gangs the Rebels and the Rock Machine may ultimately lead to a "cataclysmic event."

Police in West Australia are concerned that a drug turf war between rival biker gangs the Rebels and the Rock Machine may ultimately lead to a "cataclysmic event." On Thursday morning (March 24), Perth Police raided nine properties in a move designed to de-escalate the violence between members of the two outlaw motorcycle gangs.

The raids garnered a number of heavy weapons and loads of ammunition. Many of the weapons seized were illegal. Police feel the weapons were to be used in an escalation of the violence between the gangs.

In reference to gang drug wars, Assistant Police Commissioner Nick Anticich stated, "History has shown us that they culminate in some sort of cataclysmic event, (with) serious death and injury to those involved." He continued with concerns over the possibility that danger is not limited to the gang members, "Quite often as has been the case overseas, innocent people have been injured or killed as well."

Anticich reported that Western Australia is seeing an unprecedented level of organized crime. He said that swift and proactive police action is needed to suppress the growing tensions.

Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan cut to the core of the issue. "This war is a drug turf war. Bikies have you believe it's about tensions and differences that exist and respect. It's not. It's about drugs and the rights to distribution."

Misfits Motorcycle Club member William Henry Anselmi - known for his cordial nature and violent history - wants people to know one thing.

Misfits Motorcycle Club member William Henry Anselmi - known for his cordial nature and violent history - wants people to know one thing.

If he ever held the rival Jus Brothers Motorcycle Club in any regard, that's long gone.

His problem with them arose, he said, when members of the Jus Brothers - and in particular Stockton chapter president Bob "Rebel" Riley - testified in court against him.

That's a breach of biker code, according to Anselmi, and plain bad manners.

"It really irks me," he said. "In the biker world, you're not supposed to testify against anybody. You're not supposed to be a rat."

Jurors earlier this year found Anselmi, 62, guilty of trying to murder 75-year-old Riley two years ago. Anselmi awaits sentencing May 2 by San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Linda Lofthus.

He is expected to receive a sentence extending far beyond his natural life.

Anselmi invited The Record to an interview at the San Joaquin County Jail, where he is held. Except to proclaim innocence, he declined to talk about the crime, saying he may have solid appellate issues to raise later.

"I wasn't there. I wasn't the driver of the car. I didn't shoot no one," Anselmi said, flashing a smile. "I guess the jury said I was lying."

At trial, prosecutors said a feud peaked between the rival biker gangs as Anselmi formed a local Misfits chapter. A Jus Brothers biker had broken ranks and jumped to Anselmi's crew, stirring unease.

On Jan. 28, 2009, prosecutors said, Anselmi and another man drove by Riley's home near the Jus Brothers' Stockton clubhouse. They fired at Riley inside watching TV. Anselmi used an assault riffle, according to prosecutors.

Riley survived, suffering a shot to the arm and cuts from flying debris as 50 rounds sprayed into his home and cars, prosecutors said.

Anselmi said in the interview that the Jus Brothers don't measure up as a serious biker club. Riley's willingness to take the witness stand against him proves the point, Anselmi said.

"They're a club that's not bad, trying to be bad," he said. "They're mellow, yet they're trying to live in a dog-eat-dog world."

Riley bristled at Anselmi's statement. He said Anselmi - having been found guilty of trying to murder him - wants to stir discontent from jail.

Riley said he didn't violate the biker code by taking the witness stand. 

BIKIE gangs calling the Coffs Coast home have been singled out by a police strike force

BIKIE gangs calling the Coffs Coast home have been singled out by a police strike force targeting the illegal operations of outlaw motorcycle gangs in NSW.

A statewide report, run in the metropolitan press, has revealed the names of the gangs and where their 105 chapters are based.

On the Coffs Coast the Finks are operating out of Woolgoolga, with the Rebels, the Lone Wolf and the Nomads in Coffs Harbour.

Police say the concern is that bikie gangs are now diversifying their legitimate operations beyond the traditional tattoo parlours, smash repairers and earthmoving work into lucrative metropolitan-based gyms and nightclubs.

But the bikies are not winning the war, with police strike force Raptor – set up two years ago to target the gangs – busting 1300 bikies for everything from murder to illegal parking.

“We know from sources and intelligence gathering they talk about and hate Raptor,” Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis said.

Police are unashamed of how the squad sets out to niggle, annoy and harass bikies and associates with “in-your-face policing”.

They have issued 6000 traffic infringement notices in 24 months leading to thousands of arrests and invaluable intelligence about bikie gangs and their associates.

Routine traffic stops have ended up with massive weapons and drug seizures.

Flying club colours locally, the Finks were founded in Adelaide in the 1960s and are considered extremely violent.

They were last year declared an illegal criminal organisation in South Australia, forcing them to spread interstate.

The Rebels are said to be the largest outlaw motorcycle club in Australia.

They are a more traditional club run by former boxer and founding member Alex Vella.

“We aim to disrupt their businesses, legal or illegal in any way,” Supt Katsogiannis said.

He said steroid use was on the increase, which posed a greater risk to the public and to members of Raptor.

POLICE taskforce is investigating links between the Finks motorcycle gang and the stabbing of a prominent boxing promoter

POLICE taskforce is investigating links between the Finks motorcycle gang and the stabbing of a prominent boxing promoter whose Brighton car wash has been the subject of two drive-by shootings in the past three months.

The Ethical Standards Division is also examining allegations that sensitive information was leaked by police officers to an associate of the Finks, which could have compromised other investigations into the notorious gang.

The recent attacks on businessman and boxing identity David Deicke have fuelled concerns about the unprecedented power of bikie gangs in Victoria and their growing propensity for brazen violence. Yesterday, The Age revealed attempts by the Hells Angels to extort $1 million from one of Australia's largest construction companies.

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Mr Deicke, who is a half-brother of former champion boxer Lester Ellis, collapsed in The Alfred hospital's emergency ward after being stabbed twice at his Nepean Highway business last December.

Mr Deicke never reported the incident and claims he was the victim of a botched robbery. But police suspect members of the Finks were responsible for the attack and asked The Sunday Age to delay publication because of concerns for Mr Deicke's safety.

According to several sources, Mr Deicke sold a white Range Rover from his former Essendon car yard to a man associated with the outlaw gang. But an outstanding debt of about $80,000 was owed to a finance company when the vehicle was transferred.

Mr Deicke, who also uses the names David Ellis and David Becks, was stabbed after telling a gang member he was unable or unwilling to repay the debt.

Mr Deicke is understood to have approached Sydney boxing promoter and underworld figure Fidel Tukel to intervene in the feud. Mr Tukel refused to get involved, despite his close links with the Finks and Comancheros in New South Wales.

Subsequent extortion attempts are believed to have led to the recent shootings at Mr Deicke's Brighton Auto Spa, which were reported to police by an employee.

Mr Deicke confirmed he had sold the car two years ago. But he denied the vehicle was purchased by a bikie or that the sale had any connection to the recent stabbing and shootings.

''I don't know who it was [who bought the car], someone came in here to rob the place and I attacked him and got stabbed. The last thing I need is this plastered all over the paper,'' Mr Deicke said.

Moorabbin police seized surveillance footage from cameras at the Brighton car yard, while the investigation has been broadened to include the Apollo taskforce, which was formed to combat bikie gangs and their organised crime networks.

But the taskforce has been compromised by a series of police leaks, which are now the subject of an Ethical Standards investigation. At least two police officers have been interviewed over their involvement with an associate of several motorcycle gangs, including the Finks.

The Finks made Melbourne a base after being declared a criminal organisation in 2009 by the South Australian government.

MASS defection of Bandidos bikie members to the Hells Angels in Sydney came with a price tag of $6 million in an extraordinary peacekeeping deal struck between the two former rival gangs.

MASS defection of Bandidos bikie members to the Hells Angels in Sydney came with a price tag of $6 million in an extraordinary peacekeeping deal struck between the two former rival gangs.

The payout to secure the defections, aimed at bolstering Hells Angels ranks in NSW, included the formal signing of a contract, The Sun-Herald can reveal.

NSW Gang Squad police have learned that the recruitment of 60 Bandidos members from three of its Sydney chapters in February, including the entire Bandidos Parramatta branch, cost the Hells Angels $6 million. That would translate to $100,000 for every Bandido adopting the flying skull logo of the Hells Angels.

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It is unclear if the money went into the coffers of the remaining Bandidos branches or has been paid to each defector.

The recruitment drive is aimed at boosting the Hells Angels' ranks before the High Court decides if NSW Police moves to outlaw the club under anti-gang legislation are lawful.

Bolstering Hells Angels numbers to form new chapters in Kings Cross, Haymarket and Parramatta is also believed to counter the Comanchero and Nomad gangs, who have taken in members of the now defunct Kings Cross gang Notorious.

It is understood the recruitment deal was organised by Felix Lyle, a former Bandido who is a rising force in the Hells Angels. Offers were also made to members of other clubs.

Switching clubs is considered a serious transgression and often leads to violence; hence the payout.

The Hells Angels and Comancheros have been feuding since the Comancheros firebombed a Hells Angels tattoo parlour in 2008.

The fatal airport brawl of March 2009 and subsequent revenge shooting of Hells Angels member Peter Zervas were allegedly results of the firebombing.

But with the increase in Hells Angels ranks to more than 100 members in NSW has come the retirement of at least six long-serving members last week, including Peter Zervas, whose brother Anthony was allegedly bashed to death in the airport brawl.

Another retiree was Anthony Wainohu, an original member of the Hells Angels' first Sydney chapter, formed in Guildford in 1975.

Since its inception in the United States in 1940, the Hells Angels - which now boasts 230 chapters in 27 countries - has adopted a corporate approach to its business dealings despite a ruthless reputation.

The gang carefully guards its name and skull logo, which are trademarked.

In 2006 the Californian chapter of the gang sued Walt Disney for trademark infringement, complaining its logo was used in the film Wild Hogs.

In 2009 the former owner of clothing maker Mambo was forced to apologise to the Hells Angels in Australia for two trademark breaches involving children's clothing emblazoned with ''Heavens Angels'' and a skull with wings.

full-patch member of the Hells Angels will have to serve out his nearly five-year jail term for drug-trafficking

full-patch member of the Hells Angels will have to serve out his nearly five-year jail term for drug-trafficking after losing a bid to appeal the sentence to Canada's highest court.

In December 2009, John Virgil Punko pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamines, trafficking in cocaine and possession of the proceeds of crime.

The guilty plea came after the trial judge, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Peter Leask, had thrown out a criminal-organization charge against Punko and his co-accused, Randy Potts.

In March last year, Justice Leask imposed a 14-month jail term for Punko but the federal Crown, which had sought a much stiffer sentence, appealed the ruling.

In August last year, the B.C. Court of Appeal imposed a 62-month jail term for Punko, who then sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.

A key issue on appeal was expected to be whether the conduct of a police agent in the case should have been a mitigating factor on sentencing. The police agent had supplied Punko with Percocets, steroids and cocaine, despite knowing Punko was addicted to drugs.

The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the sentence appeal without costs.

The federal Crown also appealed the stay of the criminal-organization charge against Punko and the B.C. Court of Appeal has allowed the appeal.

West Australian police fear that a drug turf war between rival bikie gangs the Rebels and the Rock Machine may escalate into a 'cataclysmic event'.

West Australian police fear that a drug turf war between rival bikie gangs the Rebels and the Rock Machine may escalate into a 'cataclysmic event'.

It comes after police raided nine properties this morning in an attempt to stop the flow of violence between members of the two outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Assistant Commissioner Nick Anticich says police found a raft of weapons including heavy calibre guns which he believes were intended to be used in an escalation of the tensions.

GOLD Coast outlaw bikie gang member who admitted jumping on top a fellow biker who had been shot and then bashing him tried today to convince a court he was in fact attempting to save his life.

GOLD Coast outlaw bikie gang member who admitted jumping on top a fellow biker who had been shot and then bashing him tried today to convince a court he was in fact attempting to save his life.

Ahmet Dogan appeared in the Brisbane District Court this morning for sentence after pleading guilty this week to assaulting Mark Allan Ashworth and causing him bodily harm at their Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle gang clubhouse at Nerang, on the Gold Coast, on October 9, 2007.

Judge Leanne Clare was told Mr Dogan, 41, pinned Mr Ashworth to the ground and punched him in the head after Mr Ashworth was shot in the leg by another gang member.

Prosecutor Michael Lehane said Mr Dogan continued to hold Mr Ashworth down and assault him while the man who fired the shot yelled "the next one is going in your f***ing head".

He said the attack occurred as another gang member, Jamie Ciardi, 35, was heard urging the shooter to "put another one", meaning a shot, into Mr Ashworth.



The court was told after the attack Mr Dogan then drove Mr Ashworth to a hospital, dropped him off outside, threatened him to never tell anyone about the attack, informed him he was no longer in the gang and then stole his utility.

Lawyers for Mr Dogan then told the court that while their client pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Ashworth, he was in fact acting as a Good Samaritan and trying to save his life.

Barrister Cedwynn Toweell, for Mr Dogan, then went so far to suggest if his client had pleaded not guilty to the charge it was most likely a jury would have acquitted him of the offence.

To support his argument, Mr Toweell referred to the trial of Mr Dogan's co-accused, Shane Michael Oulds, 38, who was accused of shooting Mr Ashworth.

A Brisbane District Court jury deliberated less than 20-minutes, after a four-day trial, before yesterday finding Mr Oulds not guilty of one count each of assault causing Mr Ashworth grievous bodily harm with intent and bodily harm.

However, the Crown had earlier pointed out fellow gang member Ciardi received nine-months probation when he was sentenced by district court Judge Kerry O'Brien in September last year after pleading guilty to assaulting Mr Ashworth and causing him bodily harm.

Judge Clare said it was inconceivable that Mr Dogan would enter a plea of guilty to any offence, especially if the events the defence claim to have occurred actually did happen that is was trying to save his life.

Mr Lehane said that it is clear from the submissions made that Mr Dogan had been given incorrect legal advice and as such should be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea.

Judge Clare allowed Mr Dogan to vacate his guilty plea and ordered the matter be remanded for the purpose of a trial listing.