A member and nominee of the Newcastle chapter of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) have been charged over their alleged roles in a large-scale drug supply syndicate in Newcastle and the Hunter region.
In November 2018, the Criminal Group Squad’s Strike Force Raptor North commenced an investigation into the large commercial supply of methylamphetamine and MDMA in the Port Stephens/Hunter and Newcastle City Police Districts.
As part of their inquiries, Strike Force Raptor Highway Patrol arrested a 28-year-old man during a vehicle stop on the Hunter Expressway at Stockrington on Tuesday 9 April 2019.
During a search of the vehicle, police located 500g of methylamphetamine.
The man was charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) and remains refused bail to re-appear at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 5 June 2019.
Following further investigations, Raptor North, with the assistance of Northern Region, arrested a 35-year-old man at a shopping centre car park at Aberglasslyn about 2pm yesterday (Friday 3 May 2019).
About an hour later, a 21-year-old Wickham man and a 19-year-old woman were arrested at a home in Cliftleigh.
Investigators subsequently executed three search warrants at homes in Aberglasslyn, Wickham and Rutherford.
During the searches, a Harley-Davidson motorbike, jet ski, Mazda utility, Rebels OMCG clothing and paraphernalia, electronic storage devices, and mobile phones were seized.
A third man, aged 40, was arrested at the Rutherford home.
The Aberglasslyn man was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), eight counts of supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), and supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity).
The Wickham man was charged with supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), and take/detain person in company with intent to obtain advantage.
Police will allege that the man detained another man against his will and assaulted him at Cessnock in March 2019.
The woman was charged with breach of bail.
The trio were all refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Saturday 4 May 2019).
The Rutherford man was charged with four counts of possess prohibited drug, and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Wednesday 5 June 2019.
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist Strike Force Raptor can report it directly to investigators via the Strike Force Raptor online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=49 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information provided to investigators will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
