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Guns, gold found in bikie raids

A revolver handgun and a replica AK-47 were uncovered by police in a series of raids that lead to the arrests of four alleged members of the Rebels Motorcycle Club on the Sunshine Coast.

More than 20 officers from the Sunshine Coast District Gang Squad and Task Force Maxima were involved in the six raids early Friday at Eerwah Vale, Tewantin, Cooriobah and Doonan.

Police also uncovered about $10,000 in cash and $20,000 in gold bullion.

One man was arrested sitting in his car with a packed bag.

Three of the men, a 36-year-old from Kunda Park, a 36-year-old from Tewantin and a 23-year-old from Cooroibah, were charged with unlawful possession of an AK-47 replica.

A 56-year-old man from Eerwah Vale was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, ammunition and two counts of breach of bail.

He was also arrested in a car, travelling to an unknown destination.

Police said the revolver, with an extra cylinder, was found in a secret compartment in a cupboard of one of the residences.

Two of the men pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court today, while the other two were remanded in custody.

Rebels claims of innocence ‘rubbish’: Taskforce Maxima chief

Taskforce Maxima Detective Inspector Brendan Smith said the use of specially constructed hidden compartments used to store illegal weapons clearly showed the criminal sophistication of certain gangs.

“The possession illegal handguns has me asking ‘why do they need them’, if they are not involved in serious crime,” he said.

Inspector Smith said the arrests were the latest in a nationwide crackdown on the Rebels, deemed an outlaw motorcycle gang.

“We’ve got five arrested in Melbourne for murder, six in New South Wales for aggravated kidnapping, and then two weeks ago we got four Rebels here in Queensland and in Tasmania for international drug trafficking,” he said.

“Now we’ve got them in possession of weapons.

“Their claims that they’re innocent members of motorcycle clubs is a load of rubbish.

“Everyday we’re getting info and we’re acting on it and arresting members of that club. The actions speak for themselves.”

Topics: Bikies
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