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Taskforce Morpheus involves state, territory, and federal police, alongside their New Zealand counterparts, the Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Defence Force, the tax office, and other agencies.
During a “week of action” in Australia from July 31 to August, 6, police arrested 159 people, seized 43 guns, and laid 693 charges.
Drugs, cars, and more than $200,000 in cash was also seized.
In Sydney, the AFP, working with the Australian Tax Office, executed search warrants on August 2 at the homes of an alleged Hells Angels chapter president in Parramatta and an alleged Hells Angels associate in Liverpool.
A 35-year-old Paramatta man was charged with a range of offences, including obtaining financial advantage by deception and conspiracy to defraud the Commonwealth.
A 27-year-old Liverpool man was arrested at his home after police found a pistol and live ammunition on the premises.
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He has been charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the Commonwealth and unauthorised possession of a pistol.
In Perth, the AFP arrested and charged a Dianella man, 37, and a Doubleview woman, 32, over alleged roles within a criminal syndicate with suspected links to the Hells Angels.
It is alleged the syndicate attempted to import 850kg of cocaine into Perth in June this year.
While executing search warrants at the pair’s respective homes on August 3, police found about $90,000 cash hidden in a bathroom cupboard of the man’s home.
“We are dedicated to causing maximum disruption to the transnational serious and organised criminal operations of OMCGs,” Taskforce Morpheus chair and AFP Detective Superintendent Anthony Conway said.
“The success of this week of action should serve as a fresh warning to OMCG members in Australia and those seeking to hideout offshore. There is nowhere to run, and there is nowhere to hide.”
