Queensland police charge 23 men in Rebels case
Police in the Australian state of Queensland have charged 23 men as part of a statewide operation targeting the Rebels motorcycle gang. ABC News Australia reports that officers executed 25 search warrants in different parts of the state, from the Gold Coast to Cairns.
Charges over prohibited items
The men, aged between 29 and 67, face a total of 44 charges. These include 23 charges of wearing or carrying a prohibited item.
Investigators said they identified alleged Rebels members who allegedly wore vests in public with muted or painted-over patches featuring the gang’s insignia. According to police, despite the altered appearance of the patches, the vests still made it possible to identify their wearers as being connected to the Rebels.
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Seizures and further investigation
In Queensland, it is illegal to wear clothing, jewellery or accessories bearing the logos or so-called colours of organisations listed as identified. The list includes several biker gangs.
Police allege that 10 of those charged are senior Rebels members, including three presidents, a treasurer, a secretary and three state-level representatives. During the searches, officers seized several Rebels vests, firearms and other weapons, cocaine and other drugs.
Police also reported the cancellation of one firearms licence and the issuing of two contact prohibition notices. The investigation is ongoing.
