Saturday, May 28, 2011
New Zealand - Rebels Motorcycle gang spokesman in court on drug charges
OFF THE WIRE
A Rebels motorcycle gang member has appeared in Whangarei District court on a charge of possession of methamphetamine - or P - for supply.
Bernard Monk, 32, of Whangarei Heads, was remanded on bail yesterday after also facing charges of possessing precursor substances and resisting police.
Possession of methamphetamine for supply, which is a class A drug, carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Monk entered no plea and was bailed to appear in Whangarei District Court on June 16.
Monk was stopped by police on May 18 near Onerahi Hill.
Police allege they were about to carry out alcohol breath testing when Monk ran off.
He gave himself up a short time later but a police dog and handler traced his path and allegedly discovered two 1g bags of methamphetamine. Another half-gram bag was also found. During a search of his car $16,000 in cash was also allegedly found.
It was Monk who acted as the Rebels spokesman shortly after the club established itself in a commercial building on Porowini Ave and staged an official opening on Easter Weekend.
Monk told the Northern Advocate at the time the club "wanted to cement itself in the community and have a positive impact".
He said police claims the gang had Australian links and were known for manufacturing and dealing methamphetamine was propaganda and the club had a "no-drugs policy".
At the time, Monk said: "Police have gone overboard talking about drugs and crime when they have nothing to substantiate it.
"We are here to make friends with the community and that won't happen by dealing drugs. It's not a gang. We are motorcycle enthusiasts and we don't have any involvement in meth."
