Australia and New Zealand police target motorbike gang deemed 'high threat'
The police operation targeted the Lone Wolf network across Australia and New Zealand. (AAP: Paul Miller)
An outlaw motorbike gang police say puts "profits ahead of public safety" has been targeted by Australian and New Zealand authorities in a bid to undermine its criminal control.
The Lone Wolf Outlaw Motorcycle Gang has been assessed as posing a "very high threat" in organised crime in Australia.
Police say this is driven by its alleged involvement in illicit drug importation and trafficking, money laundering and violence.
A national day of action by a specialised task force on Thursday ended in 20 arrests and 69 charges laid.
Across Australia and New Zealand, Taskforce Morpheus conducted 18 search warrants, 10 firearms compliance checks and seized cocaine, MDMA, illicit tobacco and vapes.
The task force brings together all Australian state and territory police and Commonwealth law enforcement agencies.
Queensland Detective Superintendent Troy Pukallus said Lone Wolf used violence, intimidation and organised offending for financial gain.
"They have no regard for the impact their actions have on the safety and wellbeing of the community," he said.
Detective Superintendent Pukallus said police were sending a clear message that no matter how well-connected criminal gangs believe they are, authorities are committed to identifying, disrupting and dismantling organised crime networks.
Australian Border Force Commander Graeme Campbell said the illicit tobacco trade was a significant source of revenue for organised crime groups.
"With proven links between OMCG's (Outlaw Motorcycle Gang's) and illicit tobacco retail premises across Australia, profits are used to fund other serious criminal activity," he said.
Commander Campbell said authorities would continue to target groups that "exploit legitimate businesses", including tobacco shops, to "conceal and facilitate organised criminal activity".
Brad Abdy says outlaw motorcycle gangs should expect to be targeted "wherever they operate". (ABC News)
NSW Police Force Raptor Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy said outlaw motorcycle gangs should expect to be targeted "wherever they operate".
"By combining intelligence and resources across jurisdictions, we're making it increasingly difficult for organised crime groups to profit from their criminal activity," he said.
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