A senior member of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) has been arrested on drug and firearms charges as the national week of action in response to illicit firearms continues.
Operation Athena was established as a week of action across Australia and New Zealand to target the trafficking and use of illicit firearms. The operation involves police from jurisdictions across Australia and New Zealand Police with assistance from Federal agencies including Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), and the Department of Home Affairs.
In January, detectives from the NSW Police Force and Australian Federal Police (AFP) – as part of the National Anti-Gangs Squad (NAGS) – received information from federal authorities related to the importation of prohibited firearms parts.
Following extensive inquiries, NAGS investigators, with assistance from Southern Region Operations Support Group (OSG), executed a search warrant at a home in Coolamon, 40kms north west of Wagga Wagga about 7am yesterday (Wednesday 17 March 2021).
Officers seized ammunition, a baton, firearms documentation, cash, a "STOP POLICE" sign and cannabis plants which were taken further examination.
A 35-year-old man was arrested and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station.
The man, a senior member of the Rebels OMCG, was charged with possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, acquire prohibited firearm part no authority to do so, goods suspected stolen in/on premises, deal with property proceeds of crime and cultivate prohibited plant.
Police will allege in court that the man attempted to import prohibited firearms parts.
The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court on Wednesday 19 May 2021.
The National Anti-Gangs Squad (NAGS) was established in 2014 as a multi-agency law enforcement taskforce targeting organised criminal syndicates, including those involving members of outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCG).
Anyone with information that may assist NAGS investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information provided to investigators will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
