Detectives from Taskforce Hawk have today charged a fifth man as part of an investigation into blackmail.
A 55-year-old Mernda man has been charged with one count of blackmail.
He was bailed with strict conditions to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 30 March.
Detectives will allege the man assisted in facilitating the blackmail, sharing information which culminated in the engaging of an OMCG member to carry it out.
A 42-year-old Maribyrnong man, a patched member of the Bandidos OMCG, was charged on 18 March with blackmail.
He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 2 April.
A 36-year-old Lalor man was charged on 4 March with blackmail, eight counts of possess anabolic steroids and unauthorised person possess Schedule 4 poison.
He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 18 June.
A 32-year-old Eltham man was charged on 12 February with blackmail and fail to comply direction to assist (fail to provide pin code).
He was further charged on 26 February charged with two counts of contravene conduct condition of bail.
He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court 18 June.
A 32-year-old Watsonia man was charged on 12 February with fail to comply direction to assist (fail to provide pin code).
He was bailed to appear at Heidelberg Magistrates' Court on 2 April.
The charges relate to allegations of blackmail committed at a business in Brooklyn on 19 January 2026, when a demand was made for the victim to pay $663,000.
Taskforce Hawk was established to specifically target the infiltration of serious and organised crime and outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) into major Victorian Government infrastructure projects and the construction industry.
Taskforce Hawk is focused on assessing and investigating new intelligence and evidence relating to allegations of criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry.
It also continues to proactively target organised crime associated with the sector, including a focus on any individuals employed within the construction industry who have known links to organised crime and outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Police are also instigating approaches with relevant industry stakeholders to gather intelligence, as well as working closely with a range of law enforcement partners, regulators and government authorities.
Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
