Australian motorcycle gangs who fled to Southeast Asia to allegedly escape law enforcement have been the target of Australian federal police for drug smuggling internationally.
Bands, such as Comanchero, Hells Angels, Bandidos and Lone Wolf in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, have allegedly been smuggling drugs into Southeast Asia to increase flows of “tons of drugs” back to Australia.
AFP alleges that motorcycle gangs are responsible for drug trafficking, including methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine, in Australia each year through other organized crime groups.
Police lit a torch on groups in Western Australia who have allegedly established bases in Asia, with members of motorcycles residing there temporarily and permanently.
In an attempt to close the illicit drug market in Australia, law enforcement agencies in Asia, Europe and Australia met last month to share information and jointly target gangs.
AFP Deputy Commissioner Nigel Ryan said Australian gangs had expanded their influence in Southeast Asia over the past decade.
“Police operations over the past 10 years have targeted more than 30 Australian members of the OMCG (outlawed motorcycle gang) abroad, handing over intelligence and intelligence to law enforcement forces. ‘local order,’ he said.
“These groups are responsible for the import and trafficking of tons of illicit drugs, hundreds of weapons, money laundering of millions of dollars and, if deemed necessary, murder.
“We are making the lives of WTO members very uncomfortable abroad. We are working with Australian and foreign partners, in some cases, to force their return to Australia to deal with the justice system.”
Mr Ryan’s comments come after AFP attended a two-day international conference against the WTO in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in June.
Major General Ho Sy Niem said the conference helped his country better understand the threats of motorcyclist gangs in his region.
“Vietnam has a greater appreciation of the spectrum of criminal activities in which WTOs are involved, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering and violent crime,” he said.
“Vietnam is committed and recommends to law enforcement counterparts to commit to improving intelligence exchange and strengthening cooperation to prevent and combat the WTO threat in the region.”