BARISTA BIKIES
Underworld figures use lattes to ‘legitimise’ ill-gotten gains
FORGET tattoo parlours or nightclubs, Gold Coast bikies are turning to smashed avo and lattes as a front for their illgotten money.
Tough gang laws have put a massive dent in the operations of outlaw motorcycle gang members over the past few years, making it harder for them to obtain the licence required for their once-favoured parlours and bars.
Now gang members and underworld figures are seeking out inconspicuous coffee shops and cafes.
Once involved they doctor numbers on purchases and sales. They then put through the money made outside of the business to appear to legitimise their operations.
Police confirm they are aware of this emerging trend and investigations have been launched.
An underworld source told the Bulletin government crackdowns forced Coast crims to “think outside the box”.
“Those traditional bikie stronghold businesses ... were known as ways of putting money through, but were legislated against. And police targeted them,” the source said.
It is believed several cafes across the Gold Coast are already owned or part-owned by gang members or their associates.
BIKIES and underworld crime figures are infiltrating the Gold Coast cafe scene in the latest bid to launder ill-gotten money.
The criminal element are moving into the Glitter Strip’s thriving cafe game, instead of the traditional nightclubs or tattoo parlours, that have more stringent regulations about who can own and operate them.
Several police sources have confirmed they are aware of a number of cafes and coffee shops that bikies have either bought into, or own.
It’s understood the modus operandi of the underworld cafes is to doctor numbers on purchases and sales and to put through the money made outside of the business to appear to legitimise their operations.
Assistant Commissioner Brian Wilkins said his officers would work with partner agencies to ensure no businesses were used in this manner.
“If the criminal element are going into other businesses to try to front and cover their criminal activities, then we will come down on them as hard as we can,” he said.
A source with underworld connections on the Coast told the Bulletin cafes were being looked at as a viable option, over restaurants, pubs and clubs.
“Oh absolutely it goes on. I know there are a lot of inquiries from people about cafes,” they said. “Two inquiries wouldn’t grab my attention but (I’m aware of) four to five in under 12 months.
“None of them have any credit ratings, so they are just trying to buy and sell cafes with cash.
“They haven’t got a clue how to run it … I haven’t heard of inquiries about bars or restaurants.
“The cafes just aren’t as scrutinised.
“(Also) if bikie X owns a certain nightclub or bar, he will hang out there, his mates will too and it’s targeted. They are really difficult to keep under control
“Cafes are not attracting that sort of trouble during the day, but they are still a way to wash money.”
The source said the crackdown on bikies by the Newman Government forced them to think outside the box.
“Those traditional bikie stronghold businesses of tattoo companies, tow truck companies, those places, were known as ways of putting money through, but were legislated against. And police targeted them,” the source said.
“A cafe is less conspicuous … you have very little trouble generally attached to a cafe.
“Bars and restaurants have become too obvious, harder to get licences and many bikies aren’t allowed in licenced premises.”
Major and Organised Crime Squad detective Inspector Stephen Blanchfield last month said bikies were becoming smarter with their money.
“There is no doubting that some of them are smart enough to look to divest their money and launder it and hide it through other aspects, and we’re aware of that and we’re pursuing that as well,” he said.