Mongols targeted as part of National Day of Action against OMCG activity

Police have arrested six people and seized 14 firearms as part of a National Day of Action targeting the Mongols Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG).

A warrant was executed at a club house in Echuca, with police also attending addresses in Melbourne CBD, Southbank, Montrose, Rowville, Tecoma. Elsternwick, Oakleigh South, Pakenham, Carrum Downs, Clyde North, Thornbury, Reservoir, Hoppers Crossing and Echuca.

Members of the Echo Taskforce, Public Order Response Team, Licensing Records Division, Dog Squad, Bomb Response Unit and local police, as well as the Australian Federal Police National Anti Gangs Squad, were involved in the day of action.

Police arrested six people, who have been charged with a range of drug, firearms, weapons and explosives offences.

A number of items were also seized from the addresses, including firearms, cash, explosives and a range of drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, steroids and prescription medication.

Police also served Firearm Prohibition Orders (FPO) on 12 Mongols OMCG members and conducted compliance checks on a number of existing FPO subjects.

Earlier this week, police seized 12 firearms from two patched members of the Mongols OMCG.

Police also executed a search warrant in South Morang and seized a suspected stolen Harley Davidson, drugs, ammunition and a conducted energy device.

Two men, who are patched members of the Mongols OMCG, were also served with an FPO and are expected to be charged in relation to the seizures.

The National Day of Action, coordinated by National Task Force Morpheus, involved police from across Australia joining forces on Thursday, 3 December to conduct a series of coordinated search warrants and disruption activities targeting the Mongols OMCG.

Law enforcement agencies involved included Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Western Australia Police, Northern Territory Police, Queensland Police Service, South Australia Police and New South Wales Police Force.

Across Australia, a number of people were arrested and a range of items including firearms, drugs and cash.

Crime Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Mick Frewen said it was imperative that law enforcement agencies across Australia continue to work to together to target OMCGs, including the Mongols.

“This is a group we know have traditionally been involved in violent crimes such as shootings, assaults, arson, drug trafficking, extortion and intimidation,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Frewen said.

“These activities bring immense harm to communities across Australia and often significantly impacts innocent people who have no links to the OMCG.

“In Victoria alone, the Mongols have been linked to a number of firearms incidents including multiple homicides and non-fatal shootings over the past 15 months.

“Organised criminal groups such as the Mongols aren’t a state-based problem, they remain a significant issue for law enforcement right across Australia and days of action such as this one provides the ideal opportunity for us to work together to target their offending and also gather intelligence.

“This benefits us by not only immediately removing offenders and their weapons or drugs from the community, but also builds our knowledge to support future investigations.

“It’s important that criminal organisations such as the Mongols are held accountable for their criminal actions and this week shows that police will actively work to disrupt their activities.”

“The members of National Task Force Morpheus are committed to disrupting and dismantling the criminal networks linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs and will do everything within their powers to protect the community from the dangers outlaw motorcycle gangs pose.”

National Task Force Morpheus is a joint initiative of Australia and New Zealand law enforcement and Australian Commonwealth agencies targeting the crime associated with Outlaw Motor Cycle Gangs (OMCG).

The National Taskforce has been working cooperatively to prevent OMCGs from establishing in our communities to reduce harm and ensure community safety and wellbeing in public spaces.

Anyone with information about OMCG activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

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