Police have charged nine men after a series of raids across Melbourne as part of a police investigation into blackmail, extortion and assaults linked to the Comancheros bikie gang.
Fourteen people were arrested after police executed warrants at 18 properties targeting the outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) after 5:00am on Wednesday.
They searched addresses across Melbourne's suburbs, including Gladstone Park, Thomastown, and Dallas in the north, and Hampton Park, Cranbourne North and Carrum Downs in the south-east.
Searches also took place at a factory in Epping and a licensed premises in Thomastown.
Investigators said the raids were connected to an investigation into a shooting at Greenvale on March 25 where a number of shots were fired into an empty car and garage.
Five men have been charged with blackmail, affray and assault-related offences.
They include two 30-year-old men from Tullamarine and Greenvale, a 23-year-old Hampton Park man, a 24-year-old man from Narre Warren South, and a 35-year-old Essendon man.
Another two men, a 27-year-old from Hastings and a 24-year-old from Dallas, were charged with theft of motor vehicle, reckless conduct endangering life, firearm use and other firearm-related offences.
A Thomastown man, 25, was charged with reckless conduct endangering life and theft of a motor car.
A 26-year-old Springvale South man was charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamine and heroin, and other drug-related offences.
They have all been remanded in custody and will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court this afternoon.
Five men were released pending further enquiries.
Police 'not intimidated' by bikie gangs
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Tess Walsh said the Comancheros had been a focus for police this year.
"We've made it clear this year through a number of operations, warrants and arrests that it doesn't matter what link you have to OMCGs, if you're engaging in or enabling criminal activity then police are going to hold you accountable for it," she said in a statement.
"We know the Comancheros have traditionally been involved in serious and violent crimes such as shootings, assaults, arson, drug trafficking and extortion.
"Today's warrants highlight Victoria Police's strong focus on the criminal activities of OMCGs and this is something that is going to continue."
Assistant Commissioner Walsh has urged people with information to come forward.
"We will investigate and we will charge people involved," she said.
"We're not intimidated by them and we will not allow our communities to be."
