Latest News:  

English>>World

Aussie cops swoop on bikie gangs

By Christian Edwards (Xinhua)

10:17, March 12, 2013

SYDNEY, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Australia's running battle with gun-toting bikie gangs may have hit a turning point Tuesday with police launching a synchronized sting across Sydney.

Witnesses from various locations saw heavily armed police, aided by the dog squad raiding a series of known hideouts and properties across Sydney and Sydney's troubled "wild west" as part of a co-ordinated hit on bikies and their weapons and illegal drug networks.

Reports that series of properties to the south of Sydney in the port region of Wollongong are also believed to have been raided, although this has not yet been confirmed.

Police informed media that shortly after 6 a.m. local time, police officers numbering in their "hundreds" raided at least four properties, in Sydney's CBD and the outer suburbs of Sydney's sprawling west.

Police say the properties are linked to the outlawed motorcycle clubs (OMC) internationally known as the Hells Angels and Comanchero bikie gangs.

A number of people, believed to be senior members of those clubs, are in custody. Police have told media that raids are also being carried out in other undisclosed locations.

Sydney has been caught in a violent wave of gun crime for almost two years, mainly in the western suburbs which has seen almost weekly tit-for-tat shootings and drive by attacks.

Police say the shootings related to territorial conflicts over the illicit drug trade. Strike Force Alistair was established by the Organized Crime Squad (OCS) and the NSW Crime Commission in 2011.

Earlier this month NSW police made Australia's largest ever ice (amphetamine) bust, taking in almost half a billion dollars of the highly addictive drug.

Police said the raids were part of a long-running investigation into the supply of firearms and drugs to organized crime groups.

The strike force has been desperately seeking to stem the supply of guns, drugs and explosives to organized crime groups, with some of those items allegedly destined for outlaw motorcycle clubs.

We recommend:

Animals enjoy sunshine in Hannover zoo, Germany

Mass marriage ceremony held in Karachi,Pakistan

Late winter snowstorm hits New York

Flood continues hitting Indonesia's Jakarta

Thousands march with coffin to pay tribute to Chavez

83rd Geneva Int'l Motor Show opens

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:YaoChun、Zhang Qian)

Related Reading

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. Navy's landing ship detachment in training

  2. Warships in 'Peace-13' joint military exercise

  3. Unforgettable moments you cannot miss in March

  4. Flamboyant villagers honor sea goddess

  5. China's weekly story (2013.2.28-3.8)

  6. Applicants in flight attendants recruitment

  7. San Mao: The Echo Effect

  8. Sarah Brightman aims for the universe

  9. Pre-owned house sales soar

  10. Lu named Alibaba's new CEO

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Active yet prudent urbanization needed for China
  2. China's dating TV show inspires copycat in Chicago
  3. Int'l influence of Chinese films improving
  4. Peking Opera education should start early
  5. Fake 3D triggers resentment
  6. Technology transforms art sharing
  7. Books for youngsters' the fastest-growing genre
  8. Life of the never-touch-a-pan generation
  9. Chinese films ought to tell Chinese stories
  10. Lei Feng spirit never out of date

What’s happening in China

Girls who look like boys

  1. 80% of video games not suitable for minors
  2. More dead pigs retrieved from Shanghai river
  3. Afforestation area increases to 6m hectares
  4. Pit collapse kills two
  5. Airport to boost Beijing's south area