Nomads, Rebels, Commancheros and Bandidos waging violent turf wars involving drive-by shootings and fire-bombings in Australia

Biker gang violence is escalating in Australia with groups such as the Nomads, Rebels, Commancheros and Bandidos waging violent turf wars involving drive-by shootings and fire-bombings, say police."Enough is enough," said New South Wales state police commissioner Ken Moroney in a statement announcing a crackdown on what Australian police call Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG)"We are fed up with bikie gangs launching acts of retribution on the streets ... We will not allow public safety to be placed at risk and if bikies think they can disregard the law, they are about to find out otherwise," said Moroney .The Australian Crime Commission's 2006 report there are 35 outlaw motorcycle gangs in Australia, with 3 500 members. It said 10 gangs opened 26 new chapters in all six states last year.
A crackdown, named Strike Force Ranmore will involve officers from local, riot, traffic and licensing police, as well as specialist crime command squads, Moroney said.It will carry out regular traffic checks on bikes, raid the gangs' fortress-like clubhouses and check on gang licences to operate security and liquor businesses. Ranmore will also involve covert operations."I will use every lawful means at my disposal to bring this criminal activity to an end," said Moroney.
Moroney said he would recommend the state government pass laws similar to the anti-mafia racketeering laws in the United States, which would ban biker gang colours or insignia.The crime report said gangs were becoming "more sophisticated and dynamic" and had "outwardly legitimate businesses", including finance, transport, security, entertainment and construction.It said gang members were involved in organised crime, murder, prostitution, arson, robbery, illicit drug supply and production, money laundering and bribery. Police also say that biker gangs control Australia's methamphetamine trade.Defections between clubs is one of the main reasons for the recent escalation in gang violence in Sydney, say police.In March, Commancheros fired into the "Mr Goodbar" nightclub in Sydney's trendy suburb of Paddington because the Nomads president and his bodyguard brother were inside the club.
In April, a chapter of the Nomads, up to 60 bikies, defected to the Bandidos after the Nomads' clubhouse in Sydney was firebombed in what was a suspected attack by the Commancheros, reported local media. On the same night, shots were fired into the tattoo shop of the Nomads national president.In May, a fire devastated the inner-Sydney clubhouse of the Commancheros. A day later three gunmen shot and seriously wounded two security guards outside a Paddington nightclub. Two days later the Bandidos chapter was hit by an unsuccessful firebombing.The last mass defection among Australia's motorcycle gangs led to the "Father's Day" massacre in Sydney 1984 when a group of Commancheros formed the first Bandidos chapter in Australia. Six bikers and a 15-year-old girl died in the gunbattle.Strike Force Ranmore chief, police superintendent Scott Whyte, said biker gang attacks were becoming more violent.He said Australia's multi-cultural population meant the traditional Anglo-Saxon make-up of biker gangs was changing and different ethnic groups were starting to take over and bring a more violent attitude to the gangs. He also said new members were coming from Australia's organised crime families.Police rejected local media reports they would act as mediators between rival Sydney gangs to negotiate a peace deal."We are here to enforce the law and will not, under any circumstances, be sitting down to negotiate or broker deals between warring OMCGs," said Whyte.