OFF THE WIRE
Source: news.smh.com.au
AAP
Police have charged three bikies with disorderly conduct following a fight in Fremantle amid simmering tensions between the Rebels and the Rock Machine outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Police allege that at 8.50am (WST) on Friday a 39-year-old Rebel confronted a 26-year-old member of the Rock Machine and a fight broke out.
They allege another 26-year-old Rock Machine member became involved before police intervened and arrested the three men.
Story continues below The incident follows the attempted firebombing of a Rebels-run Perth tattoo parlour on November 16.
Police believe that incident was linked to a gang turf war over the lucrative illegal drug trade in Western Australia.
The remains of two crude firebombs were found and minor damage was caused at the premises of Ink Assault Tattoos at Bibra Lakes in Perth's south.
Detective Superintendent Charlie Carver told reporters there were "ongoing, simmering tensions" between the Rebels and the Rock Machine, a group that had originated in Canada and was trying to establish a foothold in WA.
He said the illegal drug trade in WA was a very lucrative and fought-over market, with $5000 of drugs bought in Sydney selling for three times that amount in the west.
Following Friday's incident, the two Rock Machine members will appear in the Fremantle Magistrates Court on December 2, and the Rebels member will appear in the same court on December 3.
