Sunday, July 31, 2011
Australia - Hells Angels bikie boss Samir Jouayde arrested 12 days after getting married
OFF THE WIRE
Wedding of Hells Angels bikie member Samir Jouayde and Susie Arida at the New Westella Reception Centre in Lidcombe. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: The Daily Telegraph
HELLS Angels bike boss, Samir Jouayde, was arrested today two weeks after walking down the aisle to get married.
Samir Jouayde is behind bars after being charged with participate in a criminal group, demand money with menace, and deal with the proceeds of crime. He was refused bail when he appeared in Burwood local court.
The arrests are part of a on-going police investigation targeting organised criminal networks and Out Law Motor Cycle Gang’s involved in alleged tax fraud.
Strike Force Edinburgh was established in April 2010 by the State Crime Command’s Gangs Squad working with the Australian Taxation Office and NSW Crime Commission.
The Strike Force was established to investigate money laundering and significant tax fraud by bikies and other criminal networks including finance industry professionals; as well as extortion of local businesses; the establishment of false businesses; illegal drug supply; and firearms supply.
At 6.30am, 19 simultaneous search warrants were executed by Gangs Squad detectives and other police specialists units including Strike Force Raptor, State Crime Command, the Public Order and Riot Squad, Dog Unit, and Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit.
Police allegedly found 11 firearms, a silencer, ammunition, together with a quantity of steroids, cash, computers and financial documents.
A total of 11 people have been arrested by police so far, including the following:
A 30-year-old man, an alleged high-ranking member of the Hells Angels OMCG, arrested at Guilford and charged with participate in a criminal group, demand money with menace, and deal with the proceeds of crime. He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court today.
A 29-year-old man, an alleged Hells Angels member, arrested at Auburn and charged with participate in a criminal group, demand money with menace, deal with the proceeds of crime, and 16 counts of fraud-related offences.
A 28-year-old man, an alleged Hells Angels member, was arrested at Parramatta Police Station and charged with participate in a criminal group, demand money with menace, and deal with the proceeds of crime.
A 27-year-old man, an alleged Hells Angels member, arrested at Georges Hall and charged with participate in a criminal group, demand money with menace, and deal with the proceeds of crime.
A 37-year-old man arrested at Wentworthville and charged with obtain benefit by deception. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court today.
A 34-year-old man, arrested at Condell Park was released pending further enquiries.
A 42-year-old man, arrested at Canterbury was charged with obtain benefit by deception and deal with the proceeds of crime. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court at a later date.
A 24-year-old man was arrested at Menai and charged with aggravated possession of firearms, not keep firearm safe x2, and possess prohibited weapon (silencer). He was refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court today.
A 46-year-old man arrested at Glenwood was charged with fraud related offences. He will appear at Blacktown local court.
"These are significant arrests and include many high ranking bikies. We have have identified a number of suspected complex tax frauds and related extortion matters." NSW Police Gangs Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis.
"Today’s operation is one of the largest single operations conducted by the State Crime Command targeting Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs and organised criminal networks.
"The NSW Police Force is committed to targeting all levels of illegal activities by OMCGs and organised criminal networks.
"The NSW Police Gangs Squad has and will continue to work in partnership with the Australian Taxation Office and NSW Crime Commission to target and investigate people involved in these types of illegal activity.
"Detectives urge any person or finance industry professional who is aware of, or involved in similar activities, to come forward before police track you down."
"Investigations are continuing and further arrests are expected," Det Supt Katsogiannis said.
