Perth bikies: Gypsy Jokers bikie gang targeted in six police raids across Perth

Five members of the Gypsy Jokers bikie gang are in custody after a series of dramatic raids across Perth on Thursday by the gang crime squad. Six search warrants in total — including one at the gang’s heavily fortified clubhouse in Maddington — were carried out on Thursday. Drugs, a gun and a huge amount of cash have been seized during the warrants. “About 9am, officers from the Gang Crime Squad with assistance from the Tactical Response Group, Rapid Apprehension Squad, Police Air Wing and Drug and Firearm Squad, executed six simultaneous search warrants including the Gypsy Joker clubhouse in Maddington and other premises in the eastern metropolitan area,” police said in a statement. Police said Thursday’s raids were carried out in relation to an ongoing drug investigation and an evade police incident that occurred on February 9. Five members of the gang, plus a man and a woman who are both considered associates of the gang are now in custody assisting police with their inquiries. Charges are yet to be laid. Police say as a result of Thursday’s raids they have so far uncovered $450,000 in cash, one kilogram of cannabis and 13 grams of methylamphetamine. A gun was also found. “The investigation into the involvement of other members remains ongoing,” the police statement added. Acting Detective Inspector Anthony Thompson said he anticipated further arrests and that the gang crime squad had recently been allocated “additional resources” to smash bikie gangs. “There are a number of outlaw motorcycle gang members that we will be speaking to over today and the forthcoming days,” he said. “The Gypsy Jokers will be receiving particular attention. “We expect to take other Gypsy Joker members into custody later today in relation to the inquires.” Acting Detective Inspector Thompson said the gang’s Maddington clubhouse was “extremely heavily fortified.” It’s understood a police armoured vehicle - also known as a BearCat - was used to smash through the front gate of the clubhouse. The severely damaged front gate could be seen lying near clubhouse entrance on Thursday afternoon, as officers continued to scour the property. “Members of these gangs are not a law upon themselves and the gang crime squad will continually investigate any activity by the outlaw motorcycle gangs that constitutes the commission of an offence” Acting Detective Inspector Thompson added.