AUSTRALIA - Bikie lawyer blasts police 'media stunt'

OFF THE WIRE
Bikies are accusing police of an expensive media stunt, after only two men were arrested in widespread raids across Sydney's west.
Strike Force Kinnarra was timed to coincide with a ban on bikie colours in Kings Cross - which came into effect on Friday morning. Police are warning bikies to expect more arrests.
In total 160 police swooped on 18 homes and businesses at dawn, seizing firearms as a result of the raids on properties with alleged links to the Hells Angels and Nomads outlaw bikie gxxgs.
The two men - aged 18 and 36 - were charged with drug and gun offences, as well as obstructing the raids, while another five men have been issued court attendance notices.
Drive-by attacks on the homes of senior Hells Angels Mahmoud Dib and Jeffrey Sahyoun last week were among at least seven tit-for-tat attacks that police say were part of a turf war with the Nomads over drugs and membership. The attacks also targeted other senior bikies, associates and tattoo parlours.
Meanwhile, Sam Ibrahim's wife and children have returned home to Bella Vista in a four-wheel drive which was also searched by police this morning.
The family of the former Nomads boss is rattled, but say they are doing well.
But lawyer for the United Motorcycle Council Wayne Baffksy says he is stunned only drugs, two guns and knuckledusters were seized in the large-scale operation.
"I don't know how they justified raiding 18 places, I don't know how they got 18 search warrants, or how they legally justified that," Mr Baffsky said.
"But certainly from what they discovered, which is absolutely minimal and I presume it's only from one location, I don't see how they justified the other 17 houses.
"It seems to be a big show put on to try and make the public think the police are doing something."
Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon is warning more bikies will be charged.
"I'm very confident that out of today's raids, people will be charged with additional offences. This is but the tip of the iceberg," he said.
"It's actually an outstanding result today. We've obtained a lot of intelligence which will actually help us to prevent violence.
But the Assistant Commissioner concedes he cannot give any guarantees the arrests will stop the turf war between the two groups.
"What I can say to you is that we are 100 per cent committed to stopping that violence, and ensuring the public's safety and the public should be very comforted by the fact of today's raids, and the fact that we will continue in our mission to stop them," he said.
"We have seized a large amount of items which will be subject to forensic examination and further persons will be charged."
Clothing bans
Extra police were on patrol on Friday to enforce the bikie colour ban. The ban gives venue licensees the legal force to refuse entry to people wearing clothing, jewellery or symbols associated with bikie gxxgs.
The ban will apply across 58 pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Police Minister Mike Gallacher says it will reduce violence and intimidation in Sydney's Kings Cross.
Meanwhile, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has criticised the decision by a judge to grant bail to a member of an outlaw motorcycle gxxg bail.
Scott Orrock was charged over allegedly torching a police van outside his Newtown tattoo parlour.
Mr O'Farrell says Sydney is in the middle of a serious bikie gxxg war, and police are doing everything they can to arrest people involved.
"The community will find this as unacceptable as torching a police car, it represents a kick in the guts to the community," he said.
"It certainly doesn't reflect what the community expects to happen, but it's another reason why the state's bail laws need the review that we're subjecting them to."
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