Outlaw motorcycle gangs targeted in joint operation

Operation Blue Ember is a joint operation between Victoria Police’s VIPER Taskforce, NSW Police Force’s State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups and Raptor Squad in partnership with the Sheriff’s Office. Photo: NSW Police.

Police have arrested 47 individuals and laid 112 charges in a major cross-border operation targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCG) and organised crime networks.

Operation Blue Ember is a joint operation between Victoria Police’s VIPER Taskforce, NSW Police Force’s State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups and Raptor Squad in partnership with the Sheriff’s Office.

Operation Blue Ember, focused on the southern Riverina and northeast of Victoria, started on Monday 20 May, and ends today (24 May).

Police also executed 47 firearm prohibition order (FPO) compliance checks as part of the operation.

NSW Detective Acting Superintendent Glyn Baker, Commander of State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad, said the operation was successful.

“This type of saturation model where specialist squads deploy and focus on a particular area for a short time is a proven method of crime-fighting, and our time on the border has been no different,” Det A/Supt Baker said.

“The extra resources on the ground here have not only boosted the capabilities of crime-fighting but will ideally have a lasting impact in crime prevention going forward.

“Organised crime in Australia isn’t contained by borders, so law enforcement can’t be either. That’s why this operation was both so necessary and so successful.”

A/Supt Baker said the police prioritised tackling regional crime, and criminals had to understand there were no safe havens.

“Just because you’re not in a capital city doesn’t mean you aren’t in our sights.”

Police arrested 47 people and laid 112 charges. Photos: NSW.

Raptor Squad officers executed two FPO and weapon prohibition order (WPO) compliance checks at an address allegedly linked to an alleged senior OMCG member in Lavington and West Albury on Monday (20 May).

Around 6 am, police searched the home of the alleged senior OMCG member. They allegedly located and seized four small bags of a prohibited substance, about $1400 in cash, scales, and other items consistent with drug supply.

The 63-year-old occupant of the home was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station and charged with supplying prohibited drugs. He was given strict conditional bail to appear in Albury Local Court on 19 June.

At about 11 am the same day, police searched a house in West Albury and seized a knuckle duster. The 37-year-old occupant of the home was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, using a prohibited weapon contrary to a prohibition order, and possessing a prohibited drug. The man was granted conditional bail to appear in Albury Local Court on 19 June.

Just after midday on Monday, NSW Police were informed that an allegedly stolen white Nissan Pathfinder had been driven into NSW after allegedly being involved in a pursuit with Victoria Police.

Officers responded and deployed road spikes near the border crossing at Wodonga Place in Albury before allegedly engaging in a pursuit when the vehicle allegedly failed to stop.

The vehicle eventually stopped when a tyre on the car started to smoke in Guinea Street, and NSW Fire and Rescue were called to assist.

Five people were arrested at the scene. During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly located a small quantity of illicit drugs.

The 29-year-old driver was charged with three offences, including police pursuit, taking and driving without the owner’s consent, and resisting police. He was refused bail and appeared in Albury Local Court on Tuesday (21 May).

A 36-year-old passenger was charged with two offences, including being carried in conveyance and resisting police. He was also allegedly identified as the subject of a Murray River Police District Drug Unit investigation under Strike Force Kumbatine and charged with an additional 57 drug supply-related offences. He was refused bail and appeared in Albury Local Court on Tuesday (21 May).

A 29-year-old woman who was also in the car was charged with possessing and attempting to prescribe a restricted substance. She was granted strict conditional bail to appear in Albury Local Court on 8 August.

A 23-year-old female passenger was charged with two outstanding warrants relating to previous alleged domestic violence, stealing and breach of bail offences. She was refused bail and appeared in Albury Local Court on Tuesday (21 May).

A 28-year-old female passenger was released pending further inquiries.

Later that afternoon, officers attempted to stop a car on Mate Street in Lavington. After the driver allegedly failed to stop, the police were allegedly led on multiple dangerous pursuits through Albury, which were terminated due to safety concerns. With the help of the Victoria Police Air Wing Raptor Squad, officers located the alleged driver in a backyard in Thurgoona.

The 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Albury Police Station, where he was charged with four offences, including police pursuit, driving dangerously, never being a licensed person to drive the vehicle on the road, and possessing a prohibited drug. The man was refused bail and appeared in Albury Local Court on Tuesday (21 May).