The former president of the Bandidos Gold Coast chapter has been arrested after allegedly trying to extort $5000 from a man over a fight for a woman.
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Adam White, 26, was allegedly acting for a mate when he imposed a $5000 “fine” on a man, police said.
The man was “fined” for contacting his ex-girlfriend who was dating Mr White’s friend at the time.
The altercation escalated when the man refused to hand over the cash and four of his friends were allegedly "stamped" with $5000 fines and threatened with violence.
One victim’s car windscreen was smashed with a baseball bat during the extortion attempt.
Mr White was arrested on Thursday morning after police, with anti-bikie Taskforce Maxima, raided properties in Brisbane and Logan, including the 26-year-old's Carindale home.
The ex-Bandidos president has been charged with four counts of extortion with circumstance of aggravation under the Newman government’s controversial Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Act.
Two men aged 22, from Shailer Park and Eight Mile Plains, have also been charged with four counts of extortion with circumstance of aggravation. The duo are alleged members of the Bandidos.
Two other men from Shailer Park, aged 21 and 36, were also arrested during Thursday’s raids and charged with possession of dangerous drugs.
The five men are due to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.
Detective Inspector Brendan Smith of Taskforce Maxima said investigators had identified four victims but were confident more people had been threatened.
He said the extortion investigation, codenamed Operation Mike Groundspeed, further uncovered the true nature of outlaw motorcycle gangs and demonstrated the necessity of the Newman government laws.
“They work together to standover and bully people as a group,” Inspector Smith said.
“The actions of these gang members are why the crackdown on criminal gangs is necessary. These offences were committed in public places and targeted everyday Queenslanders, threatening victims with violence for money.
"They have done this as group, using their criminal gang association to further intimidate victims to both comply with their demands, but also to discourage them from complaining to authority.
“Today’s results show how the new laws and the ongoing enforcement action are changing things for the better. People now have the confidence to come forward, they are making complaints, they are providing information, and I suspect we will see a lot more of it.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au.