Dawn raids by NSW Police on the Mid North Coast last Wednesday have resulted in 12 alleged members of the Lone Wolf Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) being arrested and charged with a range of drug and assault offences.
Police arrested and charged another man on Thursday following investigations.
Strike Force Oriental – comprising officers attached to Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command – was established in January 2011 to investigate the alleged criminal activity involving members and associates of the Lone Wolf OMCG.
The Strike Force was established following a series of violent offences, including home invasions, in the region.
Subsequent investigations led detectives to discover the alleged large-scale distribution of illegal drugs, including methylamphetamine, cocaine and cannabis.
Two search warrants were executed by detectives in recent months with four people arrested and charged.
Following an exhaustive investigation, Strike Force detectives – with assistance from the Dog Unit, Northern Region Operation Support Group (OSG), and Strike Force Raptor- executed 13 simultaneous search warrants at 6am on Wednesday, April 4.
The raids took place at homes in Coffs Harbour, Toormina, Sawtell, Coramba and Middle Boambee. Police also raided the Lone Wolf OMCG clubhouse on Hulberts Street at Toormina.
During the search police located and seized a large sum of cash, amphetamines, cannabis, as well as alleged stolen property.
12 men – aged 48, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 29, 28, 20, 18, and two aged 21 – were arrested at the homes and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where they were subsequently charged with a total of 63 offences, including:
nSupply prohibited drug (amphetamine – large commercial quantity);
nSupply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis (amphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis);
nKnowingly deal with the proceeds of crime;
nParticipate in a criminal group;
nRecruit others to assist in carrying out criminal activity;
nBreak and enter and commit serious indictable offence;
nCause grievous bodily harm with intent.
All 12 were refused bail to appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court.
On Thursday, April 5, a 47-year-old man also attended Coffs Harbour Police Station where he was arrested.
The man was subsequently charged with break, enter and commit serious indictable offence in circumstances of special aggravation and participate in criminal group.
He was refused bail to appear in Coffs Harbour Local Court.
Superintendent Mark Holahan, Coffs/Clarence Local Area Commander, said the raids, and subsequent charges, are a result of an extensive police investigation into criminal activity by alleged members of the local Lone Wolf chapter.
“This has been a significant operation by the Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command and the results are evidence of the commitment by officers attached to this Command, and the NSWPF as a whole, to target the illegal activities of OMCGs.
“Strike Force Oriental, together with recent operations, is proof we are committed to reducing violent crime and the supply of illegal drugs in the community.
“It’s been a long and complex investigation and the public should be proud of the efforts of all the officers involved. By ultimately shutting down this criminal syndicate we have put a significant dent in the ongoing supply of illegal drugs in our region,” Supt Holahan said.
