Pubdate: Fri, 23 Mar 2001
Source: Australian, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 News Limited {YEAR}
Contact:  Box 339 GPO Adelaide, SA 5001
Fax: (08) 8206-3688
Website: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/
Author: Layla Tucak

NINE BIKIES FACE COURT AFTER DRUG SWOOPS

POLICE in Perth are claiming a big win in the war against bikie crime after 
early morning raids resulted in drug-related charges against nine people 
linked to the Rebels bikie gang.Assistant commissioner Tim Atherton said 
Operation Ironmonger, which began in January last year, had targeted 
high-level criminal activity and drug dealing across the country by members 
and associates of the Rebels.

He said the latest series of raids ­ conducted yesterday at premises in 
Bullsbrook, Noranda, Ellenbrook, Carramar, Lesmurdie, Lathlain and 
Busselton ­ had resulted in charges against some "key players" in the 
Rebels gang, including the presidents of the club's Perth and southwest 
chapters.

Seven men and two women, aged between 27 and 48, were charged with 
amphetamine-related offences and an amount of drugs was seized.

A 10th person is in custody and still being questioned.

Mr Atherton said most of the charges related to a large seizure of 
amphetamines by police in Queensland last year.

Rebels members were often quick to assert they were simply motorcycle 
ruffians who abided by the law.

"The fact is, however, that within outlaw motorcycle gangs there is a 
significant degree of unlawful activity, particularly in relation to the 
production of amphetamines," he said.

"These arrests will have a significant effect on the gang's activities in 
this state."

Mr Atherton said under the state's new assets legislation, police would 
seize any assets of the nine people that they think were acquired through 
their alleged criminal activity.

Under new legislation, it is up to the individuals who have been charged to 
prove that the assets were not acquired unlawfully.
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