Arabic version: الشرطة تستهدف شبكة لون وولف في أستراليا ونيوزيلندا

According to ABC News, Australian and New Zealand authorities have targeted the Lone Wolf Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in an operation intended to undermine the network’s criminal control. Police have assessed the group as posing a “very high threat” in organised crime in Australia.

The assessment is driven by the gang’s alleged involvement in illicit drug importation and trafficking, money laundering and violence. Queensland Detective Superintendent Troy Pukallus said Lone Wolf used violence, intimidation and organised offending for financial gain, and had no regard for the effect of its actions on community safety and wellbeing.

A national day of action by Taskforce Morpheus on Thursday resulted in 20 arrests and 69 charges. The operation across Australia and New Zealand included 18 search warrants and 10 firearms compliance checks. Authorities seized cocaine, MDMA, illicit tobacco and vapes.

Taskforce Morpheus brings together police from every Australian state and territory as well as Commonwealth law enforcement agencies. Detective Superintendent Pukallus said the action sent a clear message that authorities remained committed to identifying, disrupting and dismantling organised crime networks, regardless of how well-connected gangs believed they were.

Australian Border Force Commander Graeme Campbell said illicit tobacco was a significant source of revenue for organised crime groups. He said proven links existed between outlaw motorcycle gangs and illicit tobacco retail premises across Australia, with profits used to fund other serious criminal activity. NSW Police Force Raptor Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy, said motorcycle gangs should expect to be targeted wherever they operate.