269 CHANGING GAME

A NEW gang of hardened exbikies and Middle-Eastern organised crime associates has emerged on the Gold Coast.

The street gang, named 269, has been developing on the Glitter Strip for about eight months.

It is allegedly made up of several high-profile former bikies and associates of Muslim youth feeder gangs, including Ummah United.

Bikie sources say 269 started with a group of “brothers from inside jail” who “proved themselves” while behind bars.

“They recruit like any other gang,” a source said. “They want people who have made a name for themselves in jail. You prove yourself inside by showing you’re a good guy, that you’ll back someone or that you can fight. If you’re a no bullshit type of guy, you become part of this crew.

“It’s not like they’re visibly on the street running together, but if somebody needs backing they’re there,” another source said. “There is no president, no secretary or that kind of thing. What is interesting about it is this ex-bikie and Muslim thing, that adds another element …”

Senior police said they were monitoring 269 and believed they were capable of serious criminal activity.

It is understood Gold Coast police have raided a number of properties where 269 jewellery was seized. Another source told the

Bulletin, Muslim street gangs were growing “very rapidly” and feeding into “sidewinder” groups like 269.

“There are rumours about how strong it (269) is but what I do know is there are a lot of boys converting to Islam to be part of groups with these types of links,” the source said.

Sources say several bashings have occurred in Brisbane jails, which they believe are linked to the gang.