OFF THE WIRE
BY: Doug Robertson
adelaidenow.com.au
Drugs, guns and money siezed in the Comanchero bikie raids. Pic: Brenton Edwards
SA police are targeting the Comanchero motorcycle gang to prevent it establishing a "chapter" of the club.
Police yesterday raided 34 properties linked to the fledgling SA Comanchero's chapter, which is struggling to set up a clubhouse in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide.
Crime Gangs Task Force officers arrested 10 Comanchero members and associates and seized thousands of dollars in cocaine, amphetamines, cannabis, steroids and illegal firearms in raids across Adelaide.
Detectives arrested three "patched" Comancheros, one believed to be the Sergeant at Arms, and reported one more male member among nine men and a woman charged with a range of drugs, firearms and unlawful cash possession offences.
Police also seized a crossbow, flick knife, illegal batons, bayonets, electric stun guns and $135,000 cash, which they said they suspected was connected to drug sales.
Seized firearms included a .357 calibre revolver, a .45 pistol, a .22 pistol, a .25 semi-automatic handgun, one with a silencer and laser sight, and four rifles plus ammunition.
"This is extremely worrying because it's quite apparent these weapons are possessed for no other reason than to commit offences," Assistant Commissioner (Crime) Grant Stevens said.
"The Comancheros are a club which was not previously based in South Australia (but) there are clear intentions for them to do so.
"This is a message to them ... we will confront them with an ongoing police effort as we do with all (bikie gangs). We are aware of their intentions to establish a clubhouse and we're monitoring their activities in that regard and I can't comment any further on that."
The Comancheros are based mostly in the eastern states and 10 members stood trial over the bashing murder of Hell's Angel Anthony Zervas, 29, in a wild brawl at Sydney Airport in 2009.
Several former New Boys street gang members including Vince Focarelli and Michael Syfris joined the notorious outlaw bikie gang late last year.
Less than a dozen Comancheros are believed to be in SA, but Mr Stevens said: "There are clearly people who are choosing to be associated with the club".
Those arrested were being interviewed by detectives and those reported will be summonsed to appear in court later.