Finks member charged, loaded pistol found after gang’s Illawarra clubhouse raided

Two Finks members have been charged and a loaded pistol seized after police raided what was to become the Illawarra Chapter of the outlaw motorcycle gang’s clubhouse early Thursday.

Police detectives, assisted by the Tactical Operations Unit, Dog Unit, and Strike Force Raptor searched the property at an industrial unit at North Wollongong just after 6am. The unit was fortified and undergoing renovations apparently to be established as the gang’s clubhouse, police said.

Two men – aged 20 and 34 – were arrested at the location and taken to Wollongong Police Station.
During the search warrant, investigators seized a loaded .22 calibre pistol with a silencer, ammunition, a stolen Toyota Hilux, and Finks OMCG paraphernalia. The clubhouse is located within the Northpoint Trade Centre, part of an industrial complex on Ralph Black Drive, next door to the Greenacres Enterprises headquarters.

Several security cameras have been installed outside the clubhouse. It's neighbours include a cafe, an auto-repair business and first-aid business. When the Mercury visited on Thursday afternoon, tradesman were on the clubhouse site, continuing works.
"Nothing to be seen here mate," said one of the workers.

The 34-year-old man was charged with possessing an unauthorised pistol, not keeping a firearm safely-pistol, possession of ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, affray, intimidate police officer in execution of duty, obstruct or hinder ambulance officer by act of violence, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, recruit other to assist in carrying out criminal activity, supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, goods suspected stolen on premises, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.

The 20-year-old man was charged with participating in a criminal group contribute criminal activity, and two counts of drive whilst disqualified. Both men have been refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court on Thursday.

In September last year, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad, and Wollongong and Lake Illawarra police, established Strike Force Rednap to investigate the activities of the Finks OMCG in the local area.

Detectives were also investigating the circumstances surrounding an affray at the scene of a motorcycle crash at Dapto on August 25, 2017. Attending police and NSW Ambulance paramedics were threatened at the crash site.


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