Australian police storm Hells Angels’ hideouts
Australian police seize guns, drugs and cash in crackdown on biker gangs linked to organised crime
More than 700 Australian police swooped on the Hells Angels on Thursday in a series of heavily-armed raids, seizing guns, drugs and cash, as authorities intensify a crackdown on biker gangs linked to organised crime.
In a co-ordinated dawn operation, police stormed 60 clubhouses and properties simultaneously across Melbourne and its surroundings, following an escalating war between rival motorcycle outfits that has sparked a spate of shootings with high-powered weapons.
If they’re affiliated with the Hells Angels, they’ve been targeted
They seized guns, ammunition, explosive materials, drugs and cash.
The crackdown was launched after new anti-fortification laws came into effect on Sunday, which allow police to tear down barriers, cameras and booby traps at club facilities.
“If they’re affiliated with the Hells Angels, they’ve been targeted,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Steve Fontana told reporters, adding that it was the largest operation on a single motorcycle gang in Victoria state’s history.
Thirteen people were arrested, including Hells Angels “sergeant-at-arms” Peter “Skitzo” Hewat. Fontana said the full extent of what had been seized would take time to determine as many of the properties were heavily fortified.
But he admitted that none of the “high-powered military-style weapons” that police had been searching for had so far been found.