Bikies in north NSW turf war

A THREE-WAY war between rival bikie gangs is on the verge of breaking out over the vital drug running route between Sydney and the Gold Coast.

The Bandidos, Finks and Mongols have become increasingly fierce in their opposition towards one another over recent months as they fight for territory in northern NSW.

So crucial is the area to each gang’s prospects that interstate reinforcements have been called in.

On one occasion, NSW Police’s Raptor Squad stopped 23 members of the Bandidos Gold Coast chapter who were attempting to cross the border to help out other OMCG chapters further south.

Raptor Squad boss, detective Superintendent Jason Weinstein, said the ambition of the groups in this area was about one thing – drugs.

“It’s all about their ability to push drugs up the coast,” Supt Weinstein said.

“We’re seeing the Finks, the Mongols and the Bandidos becoming more visible in these areas and causing a lot more trouble for the locals.

“The Bandidos and Mongols are particularly strong from Coffs Harbour up the coast and late last month we stopped 23 Bandidos from the Gold Coast as they tried to muscle in.”

In an effort to quell the bubbling war, Raptor Squad spent much of the week in northern NSW, covering an area between the central coast and mid-north coast.

Ten people, including five members of the Bandidos OMCG, were charged with a range of offences. They included alleged senior Bandidos member Jarred James Marko, 31, who was charged with possessing a prohibited drug, using a prohibited weapon, possessing a prohibited weapon and ammunition without a permit, and acquiring both a firearm and firearm parts, after police allegedly found five guns at his home.

He faced Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday and was refused bail.

Fellow Bandidos member Kenneth James Maher, 47, was charged with possessing a prohibited drug.

In total Raptor Squad seized nine firearms.