OFF THE WIRE
UPDATE: VICTORIA Police today confirmed it has raised the issue of licensing debt collectors with the State Government.The Herald Sun revealed today that the previous Labor Government last year scrapped the need for debt collectors to be licensed.
Victoria is now the only state in Australia which allows debt collectors to operate without a licence.
Police and industry sources told the Herald Sun the Hells Angels, and other bikie gxxgs and underworld figures, were exploiting the law change and moving into debt collecting.
Victoria Police Echo bikie gxxg taskforce head Gerry Ryan confirmed to the Herald Sun that the force had received intelligence that some companies were using bikies to collect debts.
"Taskforce Echo has received recent intelligence of instances where members of outlaw motorcycle gxxgs have been used to collect debts from individuals and businesses,'' Supt Ryan said.
"We are monitoring these activities closely and will act swiftly if offences are being committed, including the use of physical force, harassment and intimidation tactics.
"We acknowledge the law changed 12 months ago and certainly it is something we are looking at and talking to Governments about.''
Senior police sources told the Herald Sun police intelligence files have recorded links between the multi-billion dollar Visy packaging company and the notorious Hells Angels, and detectives are monitoring the connection.
Police and industry sources also revealed other bikie gxxgs and underworld figures have moved into debt collecting since the State Government last year scrapped the need for debt collectors to be licensed.
Supt Gerry Ryan, head of bikie gang Taskforce Echo, said he couldn't comment on specific companies, but confirmed police had received intelligence that some businesses and individuals were using bikies to collect debts.
"We are monitoring this closely," he said.
"Taskforce Echo has received recent intelligence of instances where members of outlaw motorcycle gxxgs have been used to collect debts from individuals and businesses," Supt Ryan told the Herald Sun.
A spokesman for Visy described the bikie allegations as "nonsense".
The company allegedly pays the Hells Angels a retainer to ensure bikies are available for the company to use when needed.
Police and industry sources claim Visy founder Richard Pratt, who died in 2009, personally approved the deal.
The debt collection revelations come after previous links between Visy and the Hells Angels emerged in the County Court in 2007.
Former Visy manager Craig Smith gave character evidence for Hells Angel Stephen Rogers during his sentence hearing for drug trafficking.
A former senior employee alleged Visy's association with the Hells Angels started several years ago.
He claimed Visy was owed big sums by criminals connected with the fruit and vegetable industry, who had received huge amounts of cardboard boxes and refused to pay for them.
"So Visy kind of had to find someone of equal status to the market heavies to collect what was owed by the sort of people who just ignore requests from traditional debt collectors," he said.
"A senior Visy employee knew a couple of Hells Angels through a former job. He approached them and that's how the relationship started, with Richard Pratt's knowledge and approval."
A former senior police officer, who works in the security industry, said many companies and businessmen used bikies to intimidate people into paying debts.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/cops-uncover-hells-angels-link-to-corporate-giant-visy/story-fn6bfkm6-1226355099456
