ninemsn.com.au
A Victoria Police taskforce established to investigate gang violence has been rebadged to focus on bikies.
Echo Taskforce will investigate outlaw motorcycle gangs believed to have infiltrated nightclubs, the security industry, drug trafficking and prostitution.
The taskforce was launched last year to focus on gangs from different ethnic groups.
The revamped taskforce will be spearheaded by detective Acting Inspector Chris Murray, a senior investigator who spent six years in a counter-terrorism unit.
Insp Murray said the previous taskforce looked at gangs in general.
"Now its been totally rebadged. We have kept the name, but it's now purely (Outlaw Motorcycle Group)-focused," he told the Sunday Herald Sun newspaper.
He said everything from major crimes to road policing issues would be investigated.
The taskforce would also focus on industries that bikies were suspected of being involved with.
"We are certainly looking at the licensing industry, brothel and transport industry, especially the interstate trucking companies," Insp Murray said.
"They are certainly involved in drug activity.
"Nightclubs are a big concern - ownership and security on the doors.
"Blackmail, extortion and standover activity is also something we are looking very hard at."
The taskforce will be overseen by detective Superintendent Doug Fryer, who is also in charge of a taskforce investigating the murder of underworld figure Carl Williams.
