A 30-year-old Coombs man, who police allege is a senior Comanchero member in the ACT, has been charged with drug trafficking following an interstate arrest last week.
Following an ongoing investigation into the drug distribution activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs in the ACT, detectives from the Drugs and Organised Crime Team and Taskforce Nemesis executed a search warrant at a Coombs home on Saturday 30 April.
At the home, police located and seized approximately 700 grams of suspected methylamphetamine, approximately $40,000 cash, drug paraphernalia, a handgun and ammunition.
Police will allege the 30-year-old resident of this home is a senior Comanchero member who has directed the criminal operations of the gang in the ACT.
On Thursday 5 May, information was received that the 30-year-old had boarded a domestic flight to Melbourne. Detectives requested the man be intercepted at the airport by Australian Federal Police officers stationed at Melbourne Airport.
The man was subsequently transferred into the custody of Victoria Police Echo Taskforce detectives and was lodged at the West Melbourne Police Station.
On Friday 6 May, ACT Policing detectives were issued an arrest warrant for the man in the ACT Magistrates Court. Later that evening the man appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court where extradition to the ACT was approved.
The man was subsequently returned to the ACT on Saturday 7 May where he was lodged in the ACT Watch House.
The man is scheduled to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court today, Monday 9 May, where he will be charged with one count of trafficking in a controlled drug other than cannabis. Bail will be opposed and it is anticipated that additional charges will be laid at a later date.
Detective Inspector Mark Steel said this arrest will contribute to the ongoing decline of the Comancheros as a criminal gang here in the ACT and across the country.
“As a result of sustained investigative work by ACT Policing and its interstate law enforcement and intelligence partners, the Comancheros are a gang in decline,” said Detective Inspector Steel.
“Anyone with any control over the group is either in prison, has fled overseas or has left the gang. The romantic view of a lifelong brotherhood has been overtaken by greed and infighting within the remaining members of the Comancheros.
“We are also pleased to see that the gang is struggling to continue to recruit new members, as potential nominees see that the Comancheros are no longer a well organised gang, but merely a ticket to prison.”
Police urge anyone with information about the activities of organised criminal gangs in the ACT contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.
