NINE BIKIES FACE COURT AFTER DRUG SWOOPS

POLICE in Perth are claiming a big win in the war against bikie crime after
early morning raids resulted in drug-related charges against nine people
linked to the Rebels bikie gang.Assistant commissioner Tim Atherton said
Operation Ironmonger, which began in January last year, had targeted
high-level criminal activity and drug dealing across the country by members
and associates of the Rebels.

He said the latest series of raids ­ conducted yesterday at premises in
Bullsbrook, Noranda, Ellenbrook, Carramar, Lesmurdie, Lathlain and
Busselton ­ had resulted in charges against some "key players" in the
Rebels gang, including the presidents of the club's Perth and southwest
chapters.

Seven men and two women, aged between 27 and 48, were charged with
amphetamine-related offences and an amount of drugs was seized.

A 10th person is in custody and still being questioned.

Mr Atherton said most of the charges related to a large seizure of
amphetamines by police in Queensland last year.

Rebels members were often quick to assert they were simply motorcycle
ruffians who abided by the law.

"The fact is, however, that within outlaw motorcycle gangs there is a
significant degree of unlawful activity, particularly in relation to the
production of amphetamines," he said.

"These arrests will have a significant effect on the gang's activities in
this state."

Mr Atherton said under the state's new assets legislation, police would
seize any assets of the nine people that they think were acquired through
their alleged criminal activity.

Under new legislation, it is up to the individuals who have been charged to
prove that the assets were not acquired unlawfully.