Police arrest two Illawarra bikies in raid of future clubhouse
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Angela Thompson
Police have charged two members of the Finks bikie gang and seized a loaded pistol in a raid of what was to become the gang's Illawarra clubhouse early on Thursday.
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 become the outlaw motorcycle gang's clubhouse, police say.
Two members of the Finks – aged 20 and
34 – were arrested at the scene and taken to Wollongong Police Station.
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 were refused bail, to appear at Wollongong Local Court on Thursday.