OFF THE WIRE
OFFICERS from Taskforce Hydra were last night still questioning a man arrested after a routine traffic stop revealed a Rebels bikie shirt, a loaded handgun, several mobile phones and drugs.
It was the third weapons-related arrest this week of people thought to be associated with outlaw gxxgs.
Broadbeach police intercepted the man driving a Holden Commodore on the Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Waters about 4.30pm.
Police searched the vehicle and found a Rebels bikie shirt, a loaded handgun, several mobile phones and drugs.
The man told police he had "no idea" about the gun or the Rebels shirt.
He was arrested and taken away for questioning.
The intercept was close to the Mermaid Beach tattoo studio that was peppered with bullets in April and follows two shootings on the Gold Coast in the past week.
This week, outlaw gxxg members from the Black Uhlans and Lone Wolf have faced Southport court on weapons-related charges.
Despite police moving to declare the Finks Gold Coast chapter a criminal organisation, it appeared to be "business as usual" for other outlaw gxxgs, police said.
"He had a loaded firearm, that means business," a police source said.
"Look at how brazen these people are, driving around in broad daylight with drugs and a loaded firearm.
"It sends a terrible message and makes the Gold Coast look terrible."
Senior police have defended their approach to bikie gxxgs, saying the move against the Finks shows their intentions.
"Clearly, that is not enough. These people just don't care and we have got to start attacking them head on," police said.
"This is a terrific result, but if we're honest, it was down to blind luck."
This week, the Bulletin revealed criminals were stealing weapons from gun clubs, buying them from interstate and importing weapons through the post from South-East Asia as part of a surge in gun crime in Queensland.
Prominent Gold Coast criminal lawyer Bill Potts said it was "too easy" for people to source weapons on the Gold Coast.
Firearms, especially handguns, are regularly used in armed hold-ups or seized from outlaw bikies and other criminals.
Mr Potts said the Gold Coast was becoming known for gun crime.
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/06/30/428391_crime-and-court-news.html
