AUSTRALIA - Armed cops bust Rebels for drugs

OFF THE WIRE
The police armed offenders squad were part of a raid on a Whangarei property where bags of methamphetamine were found and a patched Rebels motorcycle gang member was arrested.

Whangarei police busted their way into a Herekino St property on Friday where they found three men and bags of methamphetamine with a street value of up to $15,000.

Northland Police Organised Crime Unit head Detective Sergeant Mike Blowers said while no firearms were discovered at the property $4000 cash was found.

A bag believed to contain methamphetamine - or P - weighing about 12 grams and three other bags were found.

Three local men were arrested and are jointly charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply. They were held in custody and were scheduled to appear in the Whangarei District Court today where police were to oppose bail.

Mr Blowers said one of the men was a patched Rebels gang member and the other two had links with the gang. Other drug- related paraphernalia was found at the property.

The Rebels Motorcycle gang have come under close police scrutiny since their official opening at Porowini Ave and motorcycle run on Easter Weekend.

The latest Rebels gang member arrests come only weeks after high-ranking member Bernard Monk was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply.

Monk, 32, of Whangarei Heads, was remanded on bail last month after also facing charges of possessing precursor substances and resisting police.

Possession of class A drug methamphetamine for supply, carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.


Monk entered no plea and was bailed to appear in the 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 and a gram bag. 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 that 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".

And just last week a high ranking Rebels gang member was banned from riding his bike after police discovered he had exceeded his quota of demerit points.

The Whangarei gang member will not be able to ride a motorcycle or drive a car for three months after his licence was suspended.

The man had accumulated demerit points for speeding, failing to stop and a defective exhaust and exceeded the 100-point threshold.

http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/have-your-say/news/armed-cops-bust-rebels-for-drugs/3954591/