15 arrested in bikie blitz
THE tentacles of the police war on bikies have spread to the Northern Rivers with 15 arrests made across the Richmond Local Area Command over the weekend in a three-day blitz targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs.
The blitz was part of Operation Spartan targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs, tattoo parlours and outstanding warrants.
Richmond Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector Greg Moore said officers conducted a number of inspections on licensed premises and tattoo parlours and made several home visits to ensure bail conditions were being complied with.
"Our police were deployed to conduct specific activities aimed at gathering intelligence linked to outlaw motorcycle clubs and tattoo parlours," he said.
Det Insp Moore said he expected further charges to be laid following the operation which provided some valuable intelligence about outlaw motorcycle clubs and tattoo parlours in the region.
"Whilst we may not have arrested all of our targets we are building on intelligence aimed at identifying and arresting some of those persons."
Those arrested included a 43-year-old Lismore man who was charged with supplying and possessing a prohibited drug.
A 21 year-old Lismore man was arrested on an outstanding warrant and also charged for possessing a prohibited drug.
A 51-year-old Lennox Head man was arrested on two outstanding warrants.
Assistant commissioner Frank Mennilli said the 3000 police participating in Operation Spartan across NSW carried out 1871 inspections of businesses such as clubs, hotels and tattoo parlours, as well as 993 visits to individuals with links to gangs.
"As a result, Operation Spartan arrested 555 offenders and laid 908 charges."
"Every new piece of information we collect helps us to better understand these criminals, their gangs and their methodology, which is the key to dismantling and disrupting criminal activity."
"We will not rest until we have all illegal firearms and weapons off our streets, and all the people involved in these crimes are found, locked up and put before a court."
Anyone with information that may assist Operation Spartan should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
