OMCGs & Organised Crime

OMCGs have been known to partake in the following forms of organised crime:
● The manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs money laundering and extortion
● Trade in illegal firearms
● Trade in stolen goods
● Violent crimes and motor vehicle offences
However, OMCGs have claimed that their clubs are legitimate motorcycle organisations
and not used as fronts for organised crime. Outwardly legitimate businesses, such as
entertainment, private security, finance, transport, natural resources and construction,
may be involved with outlaw motorcycle gangs.

A 2012 report by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics found a 40 per cent increase in
the rate of ‘drive-by shootings’ from 2010 (71 shootings) to 2011 (100 shootings). The
Bureau director, Don Weatherburn, said this was one of the state’s most serious crime
trends, and a matter of concern. By 2015, the number of drive-by shootings had
remained static and these are now referred to as either ‘discharge weapon into
premises’ or ‘discharge a firearm illegally’.

The black market criminal activities of OMCG-related business, such as the trade in
illegal drugs or firearms or illegal financial activities like money laundering and extortion,
are often not as well known to the public. OMCGs have received much attention from
law-makers.

The legislative responses to these violent OMCG related incidents have been
unprecedented, largely because of the amount of media attention and public concern
the incidents raised.

There are three types of legal responses:

● passing laws that mean individuals can be prosecuted for particular crimes such
as money laundering, drug offences or assault
● establishing police task forces or increasing police powers to collect intelligence
and target the activities of OMCGs
● passing laws with the intention of criminalising the clubs themselves or
participation in them

The implications of these different approaches are subject to intense debate by

politicians, law interest groups and other interested parties.
 1) How did OMCGs develop and what is their history?
OMCGs develop based on the presence or lack of other gangs in an area. The different
gangs develop as a result of members leaving a certain gang to create a new one.
OMCGs have a very controversial history, being known for many massacres, brawls and
shootings. OMCGs also do not have a great history when it comes to the legal system
and the police.

2) What are some of the characteristics of OMCGs and what is their

structure?
OMCGs tend to be all men (with some women attempting to make their own gang but
failing). OMCGs will have a constitution that outlines the rules. These rules may include
the roles of certain members, rules about the children and wives of fellow members, and
rules about your chapter, colours and patch. Most OMCGs have a national level, a state
level, and a local level (chapter). Some gangs may also have an international level.
Each gang has certain roles that are filled by members. Some examples include
Sergeant-At-Arms, national president, founder, secretary, road captain, treasury and
many more.

3) What are some of the recent cases involving OMCGs and what issues do
they present?
A recent example of OMCGs is a supposed accidental killing. In 2015, a man was shot
dead outside his car on the Central Coast in NSW. Police believed it may have been a
case of mistaken identity. This shows a clear issue with OMCGs as innocent people are
losing their lives for no reason. Another example is the Sydney Airport Brawl in 2009. A
suspected accomplice to one gang was killed by another gang in front of at least 50
witnesses. This creates an issue as matters that should be settled privately or in court
are actually being settled in front of the general public (in a gruesome manner).