News (Media Awareness Project) - Australia: Police Seize Bikie's Assets |
| Title: | Australia: Police Seize Bikie's Assets |
| Published On: | 2001-02-17 |
| Source: | West Australian (Australia) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-26 23:57:47 |
POLICE SEIZE BIKIE'S ASSETS
A SENIOR member of the Rebels motorcycle gang has become the first bikie to
have assets seized under WA's tough new criminal confiscation laws.
Police raided the Caversham home of Richard John Roberts, 49, on Thursday
and seized a $25,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycle which bears the registration
plates Rebel 2.
Also confiscated was about $42,000 in cash, a Jeep Cherokee four-wheel-drive
vehicle and items of jewellery.
Police will allege the cash, which was found in $20, $50 and $100 bundles,
was obtained illegally.
Acting Det-Insp. Jim Cave, of the organised crime squad, said officers also
allegedly discovered a quantity of amphetamines and a Colt .45-calibre
pistol at the home.
Mr Roberts is understood to have been a key figure in the establishment of
the Rebels bikie gang in WA. He appeared in Perth Magistrate's Court
yesterday and was not required to enter pleas to three charges relating to
the drugs and the firearm.
He was remanded in custody and is due to appear again on Monday.
The raid was one of eight by police on Thursday on properties in Kalgoorlie,
Perth and Mandurah as part of a three-month surveillance operation targeting
a crime gang allegedly responsible for drug running, robberies and beatings
in the Fremantle area.
Tactical response group officers also swooped on three men allegedly
conducting a drug deal in a Noranda shopping centre carpark on Thursday as
part of the operation.
WA's Criminal Property Confiscation Act came into effect on January 1 and is
believed to be one of the toughest seizure laws in the world.
Acting Insp. Cave said police would continue to seize assets from bikies
involved in illegal activities.
"We have always said that if they want to continue to flout the law then we
will come down on they like a tonne of bricks," he said.
Eight other men charged after Thursday's raids also appeared in court
yesterday on charges including drug dealing, burglary and armed robbery.
None was required to enter a plea and all are due to reappear on February
23.
A SENIOR member of the Rebels motorcycle gang has become the first bikie to
have assets seized under WA's tough new criminal confiscation laws.
Police raided the Caversham home of Richard John Roberts, 49, on Thursday
and seized a $25,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycle which bears the registration
plates Rebel 2.
Also confiscated was about $42,000 in cash, a Jeep Cherokee four-wheel-drive
vehicle and items of jewellery.
Police will allege the cash, which was found in $20, $50 and $100 bundles,
was obtained illegally.
Acting Det-Insp. Jim Cave, of the organised crime squad, said officers also
allegedly discovered a quantity of amphetamines and a Colt .45-calibre
pistol at the home.
Mr Roberts is understood to have been a key figure in the establishment of
the Rebels bikie gang in WA. He appeared in Perth Magistrate's Court
yesterday and was not required to enter pleas to three charges relating to
the drugs and the firearm.
He was remanded in custody and is due to appear again on Monday.
The raid was one of eight by police on Thursday on properties in Kalgoorlie,
Perth and Mandurah as part of a three-month surveillance operation targeting
a crime gang allegedly responsible for drug running, robberies and beatings
in the Fremantle area.
Tactical response group officers also swooped on three men allegedly
conducting a drug deal in a Noranda shopping centre carpark on Thursday as
part of the operation.
WA's Criminal Property Confiscation Act came into effect on January 1 and is
believed to be one of the toughest seizure laws in the world.
Acting Insp. Cave said police would continue to seize assets from bikies
involved in illegal activities.
"We have always said that if they want to continue to flout the law then we
will come down on they like a tonne of bricks," he said.
Eight other men charged after Thursday's raids also appeared in court
yesterday on charges including drug dealing, burglary and armed robbery.
None was required to enter a plea and all are due to reappear on February
23.
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