OFF THE WIRE
POLICE investigating the Hells Angels have launched a new taskforce amid fears a full-blown bikie war will explode in Kings Cross.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the operation, code-named Strike Force Cheviot, was set up after 40 to 50 members of the Hells Angels descended on the red-light district last month.
Police believe the "unprecedented" act may have been designed to send a message to rival bikie group Nomads, which have long controlled security in the area.
Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis, commander of the NSW Gangs Squad, said police had been watching the situation closely since the February 5 incident.
"Yes, we are aware and monitoring the situation with what happened at Kings Cross that night with the Hells Angels", Mr Katsogiannis told The Sunday Telegraph.
"It was an unprecedented act from the Hells Angels and that's why it's important the Gangs Squad involved ourselves from the beginning.
"Safety of the community is our top priority and we will not be allowing any OMCGs (outlaw motorcycle gxxgs) to carry on with that type of behaviour".
Police are investigating a possible outbreak of violence between the Nomads and the Hells Angels, who have been on an expansion and recruitment drive for months around Sydney.
It is one of several lines of inquiry being probed by Cheviot detectives. They are also looking at a credible allegation that Hells Angels members went to Kings Cross to confront a member of the Nomads clan who works in the area.
The man, who for legal reasons cannot be named, was formerly a member of the Hells Angels but "patched over" several months ago.
Since then he has been performing unofficial security tasks for nightclub premises in Kings Cross, including venues aligned with local identity John Ibrahim.
Law enforcement sources said when the Hells Angels descended on the nightspot they arranged themselves across the road from a club where the man was believed to be working, and demanded he come outside.
"That forms part of several lines of inquiry we are looking at," Mr Katsogiannis said, adding that officers from Strike Force Raptor were patrolling Kings Cross on the night of the incident and quelled the situation.
"If they (Raptor police) didn't intervene at the time, it could have been a lot worse".
Police have connected the Nomads member with some of the recent shootings across southwestern Sydney, all of which are under investigation.
In November, The Sunday Telegraph revealed the individual was the target of a drive-by attack at an Oporto restaurant in Merrylands, which occurred two days after he was released from custody.
Mr Katsogiannis said Strike Force Cheviot officers, would continue weekend patrols of Kings Cross to prevent any outbreaks of violence for "as long as it takes".
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/bikie-war-over-kings-cross-as-police-investigating-hells-angels-launch-a-new-taskforce/story-e6freuy9-1226288013040
