Australia, WA gang tension over lucrative drug trade

OFF THE WIRE
AAP
The attempted firebombing of a Perth tattoo parlour run by bikies may be linked to a gang turf war over the lucrative illegal drug trade in Western Australia, police say.
Early on Tuesday morning, security officers were alerted by an alarm at Ink Assault Tattoos at Bibra Lakes in Perth's south, police said.
They found a smashed front window and saw the remains of two crude firebombs that had caused minor damage to the premises, owned and run by the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang.
Story continues below A witness told police he used a garden hose to extinguish the blaze which was confined to a two-square-metre section of carpet in the parlour's reception area.
Detective Superintendent Charlie Carver of Serious and Organised Crime said there were ongoing tensions between the Rebels and the Rock Machine gang that was trying to establish a foothold in WA.
Det Supt Carver told reporters that police would not let up on outlaw motorcycle gangs and their illegal drug dealing in WA, which was a very lucrative and fought-over market.
"You can buy $5000 of drugs in Sydney and sell it for three times that amount in Western Australia," Det Supt Carver said.
He rejected suggestions from the Rebels earlier on Tuesday that the firebombing was just a bit of "random vandalism".
There were "ongoing, simmering tensions" between the gangs and Rock Machine, originating in Canada, had a history of violence, Det Supt Carver said.
"Our gang is bigger than any of the gangs. Our gang is 10,000-strong," he said, referring to WA Police.
"We will continue our efforts against these outlaw motorcycle gangs."
Police said they were keen to hear from service station attendants or members of the public who may have seen up to three men filling a jerry can or cans before the firebombing.