A national bikie boss who was living in Canberra has been arrested and faces charges for allegedly supplying firearms for shootings on the NSW South Coast last year, and directing a criminal group.
The national president of the Nomads Outlaw Motorcycle Gang was arrested in Garran on Wednesday afternoon in an ACT and NSW police joint operation called Operation Nagato.
The 34-year-old Kingston man will face the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday where NSW Police will apply for his extradition to face charges related to firearms and directing a criminal group.
Police alleged the man supplied the shotgun used in three shootings in public places in the Batemans Bay area last year.
After the man's arrest, police searched homes in Kingston and Kambah where a pistol, a large sum of cash, illicit drugs, jewellery, two luxury cars vehicles and outlaw motorcycle gang items, including patches, were seized.
Following on from the bikie boss arrest on Wednesday, early on Thursday NSW Criminal Groups Squad members swooped on a residence in Conjola Park, on the NSW South Coast, and took three Nomad members into custody.
Police executed a firearms prevention order on the Conjola Park house. Police will allege that one of the men taken into custody was on parole with conditions not to associate with gang members. Items were seized as evidence, including drugs and cash.
NSW Criminal Groups Squad Commander Superintendent Robert Critchlow said that the public place shooting offences and acts of violence last year at Batemans Bay and surrounding townships was "directed and led by offenders from the ACT".
NSW Strike Force Essendene has executed a number of South Coast warrants in recent months and as a result,10 people have been arrested, vehicles and weapons seized, and 49 charges have been laid.
One of those charged was the president of the Batemans Bay chapter of the Nomads.
What also emerged was that several of those arrested by NSW Police will face fraud charges related to monies paid out to victims of the NSW South Coast bushfires over summer.
"They [the offenders] cynically defrauded the Red Cross for payments for relief after the bushfires when many people on the South Coast were still living in caravans and tents," Supt Critchlow said.
Police will allege the fraudulently obtained Red Cross donations were used to purchase drugs.
"So, it [the offending] was quite widespread. We didn't rest until we had taken as many members as possible into custody, including those already in jail," he said.
"We executed warrants in the South Coast correctional centre and charged a number of members there with possession of drugs in custody, and weapons."
Supt Critchlow said the "evidence clearly showed" there was regular transport of drugs and weapons by the Nomads between Canberra and Batemans Bay, and surrounds.
"The mission of Strike Force Essendene . . . was to eradicate the Nomad outlaw motorcycle gang in and around Batemans Bay and I think we have met that objective at this point, and we've probably exceeded that now [with the national president's arrest]" Supt Critchlow said.
"I can assure the public that the Nomads outlaw motorcycle gang is firmly in our sights and we are looking to reduce their capacity to commit crime and harm in the community as much as possible, now and into the future."
In April, NSW strike force investigators attached to Taskforce Essendene joined with ACT Policing to investigate links between the alleged South Coast shooting offences and ongoing criminal activity in Canberra.
This, in turn, led to the arrest of the national Nomads president in the inner south.
ACT police Detective Superintendent Scott Moller expected more charges to be laid as investigations continued.
"Investigations are still ongoing in relation to ACT specific offences relating to drug and property matters," Supt Moller said.
"With the arrest of this Nomads national president, the influence of this club within Canberra is now extremely limited.
"Outlaw criminal gang members should know Australian and international police agencies work collaboratively on these investigations, and state and international boarders will not inhibit our ability to pursue these criminals."
Superintendent Robert Critchlow said the arrest sent a strong message.
"If you wish to jeopardise the safety of the community through criminal activity in NSW, it is only a matter of time before we find you, no matter where you choose to hide," he said.
"We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners across the country to ensure those who endanger lives through their illegal behaviour are put before the courts and held accountable."
Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.
