An Officer woman and a Dandenong man were among nine people arrested when police executed warrants at properties across the South-East and beyond in a day of action against the Comanchero Outlaw Motor Cycle Gang (OMCG).
Taskforce Echo, Crime Command and local detectives attended 44 properties from 9am on Wednesday 21 March.
National Anti-Gangs Squad and Australian Federal Police members were also involved in the warrants.
The properties included residential, office, business and factory addresses.
The residential properties included homes on Henderson Road, Keysborough, Dore Road, Pakenham, Winchcombe Way, Cranbourne North, Cassowarry Way, Pakenham, Vivien Street, Dandenong and Minett Court, Narre Warren.
Among the commercial properties were addresses on Popes Road, Keysborough, Princes Highway, Hallam, Langhorne Street, Dandenong, Codrington Street, Cranbourne, and Rays Way, Pakenham.
Police arrested nine people, including a 22-year-old Officer woman and a 31-year-old Dandenong man.
They seized alcohol worth more than one million dollars, motorcycles, drugs, large quantities of cash and computers from the properties.
Victoria Police targeted not only Comanchero OMCG members, but also business properties linked to the criminal group like accountants and solicitors.
Commander Cindy Millen said this was the first time police had engaged in such a large scale and diverse single-day operation.
“This is about police looking at an organised crime group and essentially working to shut down their ability to operate in any capacity,” she said.
“The Comancheros are a group we know have traditionally been involved in violent crimes such as shootings, assaults, arson, drug trafficking and extortion.
“While we investigate those crimes, we also recognise that there are opportunities to target OMCGs in a way that reduces their wealth and effectiveness.”
Commander Millen said the Comancheros were directly involved in a range of businesses, from gymnasiums and tattoo parlours to brothels, where they hadn’t undergone the correct licensing, insurance or registration processes.
“To most people, these would generally look like normal businesses,” she said.
“You have people attending gyms owned by OMCG members who have no idea that their fees are contributing to the running of an organised crime group, or that the business is unlicensed and not covered by insurance.”
Commander Millen said police would continue to have a strong focus on the Comancheros and other OMCG.
Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au with any information.
