Cameron Atfield
brisbanetimes.com.au/
The Queensland Police Service has sought to have the Gold Coast chapter of the Finks Motorcycle Club declared a criminal organisation in the first use of Queensland's tough anti-association laws.
Police today filed a formal application with the Supreme Court under the Criminal Organisation Act 2009 to declare the club, which would ban members associating with one another.
The legislation, which was put into force in April 2010, was designed to disrupt and dismantle organisations involved in serious criminal activity.
"As you'd be aware, the legislation is designed to look at criminal organisations involved in serious criminal activity that pose a risk to the community," he said.
"It's our view that the Finks Gold Coast chapter pose a great risk to the community, supported by the criminal activity that members of that group have been involved in over many years, such as offences of murder, extortion, robbery, burglary, stalking, depravation of liberty, drug trafficking, unlawful use of motor vehicles, possession of firearms and intimidation and standover tactics.
"Clearly, these are offences and activities that the community will not stand for and, in our view, (the Finks) pose a great risk to the community."
Taskforce Hydra officer in charge Detective Inspector Garry Watts said they had worked hard on the application.
"It was new legislation; we've gained experience in using that legislation and certainly the next application we make we believe will be in a shorter time period," he said.
When asked whether Taskforce Hydra was preparing another application, Inspector Watts remained coy.
"I'm not going to answer that question at this stage," he said.
But Inspector Watts said he was satisfied with the legislation, which he said was a valuable addition to their legal arsenal.
"It's given us another tool in our tool kit to disrupt and dismantle criminal elements within outlaw motorcycle clubs," he said.
Mr Condon said the QPS was confident in its legal position in making the application.
“The preparation of an application is a comprehensive and lengthy process. A single application requires thorough investigation supported by significant evidence in order to meet the requirements of the legislation," he said.
“The team at Taskforce Hydra have been working exhaustively since the legislation was passed to bring us to this point...
“This application is part of a wider enforcement strategy by the QPS to disrupt and dismantle those outlaw motorcycle gangs in Queensland who engage in criminal activity.
“This should be seen as a warning to other (outlaw motorcycle clubs) who engage in criminal activity and present a risk to the community. Make no mistake, we will not hesitate to use these powers.".
Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/finks-should-be-declared-illegal-police-20120601-1zmhs.html#ixzz1wbRwsugn
Police today filed a formal application with the Supreme Court under the Criminal Organisation Act 2009 to declare the club, which would ban members associating with one another.
The legislation, which was put into force in April 2010, was designed to disrupt and dismantle organisations involved in serious criminal activity.
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Assistant Commissioner Mike Condon said today's court application had come after many months of work from the State Crime Operations Command and the anti-bikie Taskforce Hydra."As you'd be aware, the legislation is designed to look at criminal organisations involved in serious criminal activity that pose a risk to the community," he said.
"It's our view that the Finks Gold Coast chapter pose a great risk to the community, supported by the criminal activity that members of that group have been involved in over many years, such as offences of murder, extortion, robbery, burglary, stalking, depravation of liberty, drug trafficking, unlawful use of motor vehicles, possession of firearms and intimidation and standover tactics.
"Clearly, these are offences and activities that the community will not stand for and, in our view, (the Finks) pose a great risk to the community."
Taskforce Hydra officer in charge Detective Inspector Garry Watts said they had worked hard on the application.
"It was new legislation; we've gained experience in using that legislation and certainly the next application we make we believe will be in a shorter time period," he said.
When asked whether Taskforce Hydra was preparing another application, Inspector Watts remained coy.
"I'm not going to answer that question at this stage," he said.
But Inspector Watts said he was satisfied with the legislation, which he said was a valuable addition to their legal arsenal.
"It's given us another tool in our tool kit to disrupt and dismantle criminal elements within outlaw motorcycle clubs," he said.
Mr Condon said the QPS was confident in its legal position in making the application.
“The preparation of an application is a comprehensive and lengthy process. A single application requires thorough investigation supported by significant evidence in order to meet the requirements of the legislation," he said.
“The team at Taskforce Hydra have been working exhaustively since the legislation was passed to bring us to this point...
“This application is part of a wider enforcement strategy by the QPS to disrupt and dismantle those outlaw motorcycle gangs in Queensland who engage in criminal activity.
“This should be seen as a warning to other (outlaw motorcycle clubs) who engage in criminal activity and present a risk to the community. Make no mistake, we will not hesitate to use these powers.".
Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/finks-should-be-declared-illegal-police-20120601-1zmhs.html#ixzz1wbRwsugn
