Intelligence gap’ on motorcycle gangs warns Europol

OFF THE WIRE
05 Aug 2010
An integrated approach to addressing an “intelligence gap” in the number of outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) in Europe is needed to tackle their progressive spread into the South East of the continent, Europol has warned.
The European law enforcement organisation has identified a growth in OMCGs in countries such as Turkey and Albania, but there is currently little knowledge on how many local gangs there are or what their relations are with other gangs.

“Over 60 local motorcycle clubs, many of which display links to international outlaw motorcycle gangs, have been detected across South East Europe and an effort to fill this intelligence gap would enable national law enforcement agencies to isolate specific OMCGs from those clubs that are comprised solely of motorcycle enthusiasts. This rise in the growth of outlaw motorcycle gangs calls for an integrated approach to further enhance intelligence on the spread of the gangs’ criminal activities,” Europol said.
Europol recently identified a major expansion in the activity of the Hell’s Angels and other OMCGs and is leading a major project in this area to help law enforcement agencies in the EU to combat this threat. Europol currently offers support to deal with the Europe-wide threat of OMCGs through analytical and criminal intelligence sharing capabilities. Establishing a single point of contact in national law enforcement authorities in South East Europe will be its next step to facilitate cooperation and sharing of best practice on recognising and disrupting the activities of OMCGs.
The recommendation to law enforcement authorities in Europe is to monitor the travel movements of OMCG members to South East Europe and inform local authorities. Authorities in South East Europe are advised to draw on a range of experience and expertise at national and European levels to identify and disrupt the criminal networks.
“An integrated approach to enhance law enforcement cooperation, as well as the coordinated sharing and centralised analysis of intelligence at an EU level, will help to bridge gaps in intelligence and ultimately disrupt the illegal activities of these gangs,” Europol states.

OMCGs, such as the Bandidos and Hell’s Angels, are already present throughout the European Union. Recently, the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) has significantly expanded its presence into Eastern Europe. Over the past couple of years, they have spearheaded an extremely rapid drive into South East Europe, particularly in Turkey and Albania.
Motorcyclists who break the law often refer to themselves as ‘one percenters’ (1%er). Most OMCG members adopt a ‘multi-crime’ approach, ranging from racketeering and extortion to financial crime and trafficking of human beings for sexual exploitation.

New alliances between OMCGs mean their capability and capacity to manage drugs trafficking via South East Europe is growing. Hell’s Angels are known to have already established themselves in South East Europe by building close relationships with local OMCGs in Albania, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Europol believes that the growth in OMCGs in South East Europe will lead to “violent disputes for superiority” and a turf war is also believed to be a significant threat.
By Gemma Ilston