AUSTRALIA - Drugs seized as Rebels gather in Victoria

OFF THE WIRE
Police say they have already nabbed Rebels bikie gang members for drug and traffic offences as they converge on Victoria for their national run.
Victoria Police said hundreds of Rebels members have been gradually moving to Victoria from across the country over recent weeks for their national run this weekend.
'En route to Victoria we have had offences being committed by Rebels members, and in Mildura we have already detected offences committed by Rebels members and their associates,' Acting Assistant Commissioner Jack Blayney told reporters in Melbourne on Friday.
'Drug possession, excessive speed, things of that nature, and there's other investigations underway.
'So this is not a basketball club, this is not a bowling club, this is an outlaw motorcycle gang that are involved in serious and organised crime across Australia.'
Police intercepted gang members arriving aboard the Spirit of Tasmania ferry in Melbourne on Friday morning, but no offences were detected, Mr Blayney said.
While it was expected the bikies would behave themselves, police would be prepared for any trouble, he said.
Mr Blayney urged Victorians and Mildura locals not to be concerned and said additional police had been sent to the town.
'We have spoken to the leaders of the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang and we have received assurances from them that they will behave themselves,' he said.
'However, it does create some alarm within the community because of the sheer size and nature of outlaw motorcycle gangs.
'We are going to maintain a very high and visible police presence around them.'
Mr Blayney said the Rebels were Australia's largest bikie gang with 70 club houses across the country.
Before the Rebels conduct their run, police expect them to meet up and ride their machines from one location to another.
Police have said they will set up checkpoints during the ride and they will conduct licence, registration, roadworthy and helmet checks as well as breath and drug tests.
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