Strike Force Officers Raid Hunter Homes In Search Of Guns

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are stepping up their investigations into this week's drive-by shootings involving bikie gangs in the Hunter.

The Herald reports officers from Strike Force Raptor raided six properties yesterday looking for guns.

More than 30 shots were fired into the Wallsend home of a Nomads enforcer on Tuesday night in the third gang-related drive-by shooting since Saturday.

A Nomads clubhouse at Muswellbrook was firebombed while three men have faced court over assaults at a Kotara gym and a hotel at Honeysuckle during a week of violent incidents between rival bikie gangs.

Hunter bikie gang rivalry continues

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The rivalry between Nomads and Finks bikie gang members in the Hunter appears to be continuing, with a Nomads clubhouse torched in Muswellbrook overnight. 

Just after 1am this morning, emergency services were called to the Bridge Street address following reports of a fire.

The fire at the front of the clubhouse was quickly extinguished with minimal damage caused to the building. 

Hunter Valley Local Area Command officers attended establishing a crime scene with initial enquiries leading them to believe the fire was deliberately lit.

Anyone with information are being urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

Newcastle Bikie Wars Escalate

BY IAN CROUCH

Three members of the Nomads motorcycle gang have been charged over two violent incidents in Newcastle.

A member of the rival Finks gang was allegedly bashed with a steel bar at a Kotara gym on Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, two Sydney men were attacked at a hotel in Honeysuckle just after 7.00pm on Saturday.

A few hours later, several shots were fired into the Nomads clubhouse at Islington - although more than 10 people were at the Chin Chen Street clubhouse at the time,  no-one was injured.

Police arrested three men at the location.

A 26-year-old Branxton man has been charged over the Kotara incident, while two men aged 26 and 32 have been charged over the Honeysuckle incident.

Police are yet to lay charges over the shooting incident.