A ‘National Day of Action’ across Australia has targeted the notorious Comancheros Outlaw Motorcycle Gang and associates leading to the arrest of 33 people.

The operation on Thursday uncovered multiple weapons, a firearm, ammunition, and significant quantities of cash – including approximately $100,000 hidden in the garden of a home in Wiley Park in Sydney’s south west.

Jewellery and drugs including methylamphetamine and cocaine were also seized.

Police seized illicit imported tobacco including crates of Chinese cigarettes and vapes with an estimated value of more than $1.5 million.

The operation coordinated by National Task Force Morpheus was a synchronised action of police, government agencies, and partners from Australia and New Zealand targeting crime associated with Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG).

Specialist police conducted 33 search warrants and other disruption activities, targeting the Comancheros OMCG.

The operation resulted in 33 people charged with 78 offences.

An alleged member of the Comancheros was charged with extortion and drug offences and an alleged Comancheros associate charged with drug trafficking in Queensland.

In NSW, police arrested two men, executed three search warrants, seven Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance checks and conducted a total of seven tobacconist store inspections across the state.

Police located and seized illicit tobacco and vapes with an estimated value of more than $1 million, $323,645 in cash, and cloned plates and electronics.

Detective Superintendent Jason Kelly from Victoria Police’s Crime Command, and Chair of National Taskforce Operation Morpheus, said the taskforce has been a very successful national and international operation over the last decade.

‘This includes multiple operations conducted that have seen Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) members arrested, charged and held to account via the criminal justice system,’ Detective Superintendent Kelly said.

‘Law enforcement and partner government agencies will continue to use our full range of shared capabilities to proactively target OMCGs, across Australia, New Zealand and internationally.’

‘We will be relentless in pursuing OMCGs.’

‘National Taskforce Morpheus will not stop disrupting and holding OMCGs to account for their criminal actions.’ 

Commander of NSW Police State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad, Detective Superintendent Jason Box said the operation sends a powerful message that police will continue to suppress and disrupt organised crime activities.

‘Operations like this are a reminder to any criminal organisations, and those acting on their behalf, that they can be targeted at any time.’

In addition to the arrests and seizures, police said the operation gathered valuable intelligence.

This will be shared nationally through the Australian Criminal and Intelligence Commission’s Australian Gangs Intelligence Coordination Centre. 

Anyone with information about Comancheros Outlaw Motorcycle Gang activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.