Australia's biggest bikie gang is in the process of setting up shop in New Zealand, a move that has both police and the Police Minister worried.
The outlawed gang is known as the Rebels Motorcycle Club, with about 2000 members and a record of killings, drugs, arms trafficking and extortion.
This gang was started 42 years ago in Brisbane - even then it was volatile. There was, what the gang calls ‘a blue’ at one of the first meetings and it never finished. But the gang survived and now it has a motto on the rebels’ website: “like us or hate us. You better get used to us.”
Australia's government and law enforcement consider them a criminal organisation. But they claim simply to be a group for motorcycle enthusiasts.
The club was established in 1969, has 70 chapters and 2000 members – it is Australia's largest motorcycle gang, and arguably the toughest.
Two years ago, 27 members were arrested after a series of raids across the country. Police found huge quantities of drugs, including methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. Firearms, cash, stolen goods and stolen vehicles were also seized.
Nine years earlier another nationwide raid netted drugs, firearms and even a crocodile.
In 2008, two rebel associates were arrested for the murder of a rival gang member.
The government and police want them gone. And now New Zealand's police and government are trying to keep the bikies out of our country.
But it may be too late with at least two sightings of gang members in New Zealand.
The rebels’ website has all its chapters named - Australia, USA, Thailand, Malta, Sweden and New Zealand.
It is interesting to note that it has a message on the website saying please do not send an email or post a message asking how to join, you are wasting your time, it will be ignored.
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