Australian outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) started as outcasts committing low-level crime but, over decades, have evolved into the "largest serious and organised crime" organisations in the country.
There are currently 38 outlaw bikie gangs operating in Australian states and territories.
"OMCGs have evolved into transnational serious organised crime groups whose main business is drug trafficking," an Australian Federal Police spokesperson said.
While brutal and public acts of violence are synonymous with OMCGs, modern gangs were co-operating with each other more now than in previous generations, forensic psychologist and criminologist Tim Watson-Munro said.
"The Comancheros, the Hells Angels and the Finks were all previously at war with one another," he said.
"But now there's greater collaboration in terms of the division of territories and profits - they're working together."
Taskforce Morpheus was formed to block alleged OMCG trafficking and, in early August, 159 alleged associates were arrested and 693 charges laid in sweeping raids.
National Taskforce Morpheus chair Detective Superintendent Anthony Conway said police will continue their "relentless pursuit to disrupt [OMCG] criminal activity".
The challenge to law enforcement
Outlaw motorcycle gangs are highly involved in drug importation, production and distribution, weapons trafficking, money laundering and extremely violent crime, Victoria Police Anti-Gangs Division Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly said.
"To support and facilitate their offending, they are highly territorial and utilise intimidation and violence to exert power and control," he said.
Gang violence often plays out in public spaces which exposes the community to an "unacceptable risk," he said.
At 8.30am on June 27, Alen Moradian was gunned down at close range in a carpark attached to his apartment building in Bondi Junction. He allegedly had links to the Comanchero OMCG.
Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said the shooting had "the hallmarks of an organised crime murder ... he's a major player. He obviously had a big target on his back."
Gangs had become more brazen with their violence lately, Mr Watson-Munro said.
"They don't care where they kill people that are deemed to be a threat or who may have offended them in some way," he said.
"I think there will be tit for tat stuff going on for a long time, as it was in Melbourne 20 years ago."
Mr Watson-Munro said corruption was also a challenge for police taskforces tracking motorcycle gang activity.
The criminologist said law enforcement is contending with people in mainstream society who have been corrupted by gangs through financial incentives.
"For example, people who are baggage handlers, people in customs, people working on the docks who become compromised one way or another," he said.
"This opens the gateway to drug importation into Australia, and it's a huge task for law enforcement ... the power that money attracts is enormous," he said.
The drug trade
Drugs are the lifeblood of OMCGs and Australia had no shortage of demand for the illicit substances, Mr Watson-Munro said.
The AFP believes motorcycle gangs are involved in up to half of the large-scale drug importations sent to Australia and most of the big clandestine manufacturing labs found in Australia, a spokesperson said.
"The media talk about the heavy rate of illicit drug use in the Australian community, particularly cocaine and ice," Mr Watson-Munro said.
"And it's no longer just people on the street, it's infiltrated middle class.
"So there's a strong motivation for people to export cocaine and ice to Australia and fentanyl will be the next big one. Attached to all this are huge profits," he said.
How do OMCG's recruit?
Most OMCGs have well defined recruitment processes focused on testing the reliability, loyalty and "outlaw values" of potential members.
People wishing to join a club are expected to spend time, from a few months to a few years, getting to know members by attending clubhouse events and going on rides.
The potential member then becomes a "nominee". This period typically lasts one to two years and after this the chapter members vote on whether they could join the club.
An ex-bikie told the Australian Institute of Criminology that members were drawn to the money.
"Well, a lot of these young guys get pulled into the business, and you can make big dollars selling stuff you shouldn't be selling," he said.
"Why go to work 40 hours for $1,500, when you can get that in one deal and sit out the rest of the week?
"That's what the big thing is to young guys."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan is a journalist for Explore and the Senior. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
