WA: Ironside Western - alleged OMCG-linked drug and money laundering networks (case study)
Summary
The Australian Federal Police-led National Anti-Gangs Squad (NAGS) has prevented approximately 25 kilograms of illicit drugs from reaching the WA community and seized more than $1.2 million in alleged criminal proceeds, after a crackdown on Outlaw Motorcycle Gang-linked drug distribution networks.
Operation IRONSIDE intelligence enabled police to identify people who were allegedly part of four separate networks supplying methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine in WA or laundering criminal proceeds. The drugs were worth at least $22 million in street level sales in WA.
WA NAGS includes members of the AFP and WA Police Force.
Case study 1
WA NAGS seized $996,165 from three people accused of being part of a syndicate laundering criminal proceeds on behalf of an offshore WA Outlaw Motorcycle Gang member.
Two women and a man have each been charged with possessing stolen or unlawfully obtained property after police allegedly intercepted a cash handover at a Perth business on 21 May 2021.
Case study 2
A 46-year-old man has been charged after WA NAGS found $205,000 cash and 12 kilograms of methamphetamine, which police allege was going to be distributed on behalf of an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.
The NSW man travelled to Perth in mid-April and was allegedly storing the illicit items at a Willetton property where he was staying.
On 17 May (2021), WA NAGS executed a search warrant at the property and allegedly found a tool box containing the meth hidden in the roof cavity and about $205,000 in a bedroom.
The 46-year-old man is remanded in custody and is expected back in Perth Magistrate’s Court on 15 June charged with possessing a trafficable quantity of methamphetamine with intent to sell or supply, and possessing stolen or unlawfully obtained property.
Case study 3
A 26-year-old woman was charged in April (2021) over allegations she was preparing to supply methamphetamine worth millions of dollars to the Rebels OMCG.
Intelligence from Operation Ironside enabled police to identify a ‘dead drop’ in the Perth hills where a criminal syndicate was allegedly hiding illicit drugs for collection.
WA NAGS found a bag containing three kilograms of meth - worth an estimated $3 million in ‘street deals’ in WA – at the site and replaced it with a harmless substance.
On 29 April, officers arrested the woman soon after she allegedly dug up the bag and charged her with attempting to possess methamphetamine with intent to sell or supply.
She has been remanded in custody to appear in court again on 30 July.
Case study 4
WA NAGS charged a 27-year-old who allegedly worked as a drug ‘courier’ for the WA Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang after seizing almost 10 kilograms of illicit drugs.
It came after NAGS officers launched an investigation into an interstate drug trafficking syndicate allegedly linked to WA gang members.
The man was arrested on 12 May after he allegedly left a green bag containing 4.1 kilograms of meth in bushland in Gnangara.
WA NAGS then searched an Ellenbrook home and found approximately 1.5 kilograms of meth, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine and 2.45 kilograms of MDMA hidden under an oven.
The 27-year-old has been charged with four counts of possession of a trafficable amount of a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply, contrary to section 6(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 (WA).
The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.