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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D