Australia, No gun found in bikie headquarters raid

OFF THE WIRE
West Australian police raid on the Bunbury headquarters of outlaw motorcycle gang the Coffin Cheaters has failed to locate a handgun allegedly used in a violent bikie brawl, police say.

At about 9am (WST) on Tuesday, armed police stormed the compound in Zoe Street, Bunbury, which is surrounded by stone walls and a red gate labelled CCMC (Coffin Cheaters Motorcycle Club).

Gang Crime Squad officers along with officers from the southwest district simultaneously raided a private home in the nearby suburb of Eaton.

A 36-year-old man was taken into custody and later charged with possessing a prohibited drug, which police believe to be steroids.

Detective-Inspector Paul McMurtrie told media there was "credible evidence" linking the two properties to the investigation into a violent clash between bikies at the Kwinana Motorplex in Perth's south earlier this month.

"Today we are searching for items of evidence which will support that investigation and will also support the ongoing tensions between the Coffin Cheaters and Finks," he said on Tuesday.

"We have credible evidence to suggest that persons linked to both the clubhouse and the house in Eaton were involved in the incident at the Kwinana Motorplex."

Det Insp McMurtrie said earlier on Tuesday there was a handgun, allegedly used during the clash, which was outstanding with a police spokesman saying later it was not located during the raids.

The clash between members of the rival Finks and Coffin Cheaters gangs, which also involved Club Deroes bikies, resulted in one man being shot in the leg.

Another Finks member had three fingers severed with a knife.

Earlier this month police raided the Finks' clubhouse at Balga in Perth's north and properties in Mandurah and Geraldton.

A feud between the Finks and the Coffin Cheaters was sparked in January 2008 after the Coffin Cheaters expelled high-profile member Troy Mercanti, who then helped the Finks set up a WA chapter.

Mercanti is currently in jail for assault.