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Multiple arrests have occurred following a long running investigation into OMCG activity in the ACT.
Since early 2025, ACT Policing’s Criminal Investigations Drug and Organised Crime Team has been investigating a criminal group allegedly involved in trafficking illicit drugs. While police were conducting this investigation, the syndicate became the Canberra chapter of the Bandidos OMCG, calling themselves the “King City” chapter.
Police will allege the group has been involved in the trafficking of more than 70kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding $10 million.
Since then, further investigations have occurred and four more men have been charged.
In the past two weeks:
- Search warrants were executed at seven premises and on two vehicles
- Four men were charged with drug trafficking and participating in a criminal group offences,
- Another person was charged after allegedly attempting to smuggle from a search warrant an electronic device containing evidence;
As part of the overall operation:
- Approximately 4.6kg of cocaine and more than $600,000 cash was seized;
- A modified Glock 19 firearm was seized;
- A large quantity of valuable items and four vehicles seized as proceeds of crime;
- Four dedicated, encrypted communication devices seized;
- Bandidos paraphernalia seized; and
- Prohibited items and weapons including steroids, batons, tasers and knuckle dusters were seized.
Two other men, who police will allege are also members of this criminal group, are currently remanded for unrelated offending. They may be charged at a later date.
Officer in Charge of the Drugs and Organised Crime team, Detective acting Inspector Mark Battye said ACT Policing will continue to target those groups and individuals involved in the distribution and sale of illicit drugs in the ACT and surrounding region.
“Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs are not harmless groups riding motorcycles. They use greed, intimidation and violence to fuel the commercial trafficking of harmful drugs and weapons, making large amounts of money in the process that goes towards more offending,” Detective acting Inspector Mark Battye said.
“Arresting members of the newly formed Canberra Chapter of the Bandidos OMCG is a positive result for all of us, and in the interests of community safety”.
Anyone who has information about drug distribution in the ACT is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.
