OFF THE WIRE
POLICE say they have arrested a high-ranking member of the Bandidos bikie gang in Blacktown after discovering police uniform items among a cache of illegal weapons and drugs.
Two associates of the gang member were also arrested for alleged firearm and drug offences.
About 7pm Monday, Strike Force Raptor officers raided a home in Daphne Place, Lalor Park.
Inside, they seized a sawn off .22-calibre rifle, police uniform items, two firearm magazines, ammunition, a bullet resistant vest, a flick knife, a pair of stolen number plates, as well as Bandidos clothing and paraphernalia.
A 52-year-old man, alleged to be a high-ranking member of the Bandidos bikie gang, was arrested at the scene, taken to Blacktown Police Station and charged with possessing a shortened firearm/ammunition/ police uniform/bullet resistant vest and goods in custody.
He was conditionally bailed to appear at Blacktown Local Court on April 21.
At a separate home on the same property, police found an unlicensed .45-calibre semi automatic pistol, ammunition, a silencer, five rifles -- including a .45-calibre, unlicensed lever-action rifle -- and cannabis plants.
A 45-year-old man, who police allege is an associate of the Bandidos gang, was arrested at the scene, taken to Blacktown Police Station and charged with possessing an unlicensed pistol and possession of a prohibited drug.
He was conditionally bailed to appear at Blacktown Local Court on April 21.
A 34-year-old woman was also arrested at the scene. Police said the she was in possession of substances that they believed to be a prohibited drug.
She was taken to Blacktown Police Station and charged with the possession and supply of a prohibited drug. She will appear in Blacktown Local Court on April 21.
The arrests come less than a month after police raided the home of an alleged Bandidos member in Prospect and found police uniforms and equipment.
In that raid in Myrtle Street, on February 10, police discovered a cache of stolen police items, including police shirts, pants, jackets, a jumper, a reflective vest, a hat, belt keepers and a gun holster.
They also allegedly found cocaine, amphetamines and cutting agent, as well as goods suspected of being stolen, including laptop computers, a video camcorder, two Harley Davidson motorcycles, car parts and motorcycle parts.
A 20-year-old woman was arrested at the home and charged for an outstanding warrant.
A 36-year-old male tenant of the home is still on the run from police.
http://www.blacktownsun.com.au/news/local/news/crime-and-law/bikies-found-with-police-uniforms/2090178.aspx