In a major crackdown on organised crime, Queensland Police have executed a series of raids on properties linked to the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) in Cairns, uncovering a significant cache of illicit drugs, firearms, and high-value assets.
Major Police Operation Targets Bikie Strongholds
The coordinated police action unfolded on Tuesday, with officers from the Cairns Major and Organised Crime Squad (MOCS) targeting multiple addresses across the city. The operation was the culmination of a protracted investigation into the criminal activities of the Mongols OMCG chapter in Far North Queensland.
During the searches, police made a substantial haul. The seized items included a quantity of methylamphetamine (ice), cannabis, multiple firearms, ammunition, and a large sum of cash suspected to be the proceeds of crime. Additionally, police restrained several high-end vehicles, including a black Mercedes-Benz and a black Ford Ranger, under Queensland's serious drug offender confiscation order regime.
Man Charged Following Dramatic Raids
As a direct result of the raids, a 35-year-old Manoora man, identified as a patched member of the Mongols OMCG, was arrested and charged. He now faces a string of serious offences.
The charges laid against him include:
- Possessing dangerous drugs
- Possessing anything used in the commission of a crime
- Unlawful possession of weapons (including a handgun and a rifle)
- Possessing property suspected of being acquired for the purpose of committing a drug offence
- Possessing explosives (ammunition)
The accused was denied police bail and is scheduled to appear before the Cairns Magistrates Court at a later date. The investigation, dubbed Operation Victor Delphinium, remains active and ongoing, with police not ruling out further arrests.
Police Send a Strong Message to Organised Crime
Detective Acting Inspector Kevin Goan of the Cairns MOCS emphasised that the operation demonstrates the relentless focus of police on disrupting the activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs and other organised crime networks. He stated that the seizure of drugs, guns, and assets directly impacts the gang's ability to operate and fund its illegal enterprises.
"The seizure of these dangerous drugs, firearms, and the proceeds of crime will have a significant impact on the operations of the Mongols OMCG in this region," Detective Acting Inspector Goan said. He further warned that police would continue to target anyone involved in the distribution of harmful drugs within the community.
This latest crackdown is part of a broader statewide effort by the Queensland Police Service to combat the influence and criminal operations of outlaw motorcycle gangs, whose activities are often linked to violence, drug trafficking, and intimidation in communities across the state.
