Two high-ranking members of the Descendants Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in Adelaide are to be removed from Australia to their native country of New Zealand following a joint-agency operation.
The bikies were detained during the execution of warrants by law-enforcement agencies on premises in the Adelaide suburbs of Ingle Farm and Prospect.
The men, who are brothers aged 64 and 65, were detained under Section 189 of the Migration Act 1958 and have been placed in immigration detention pending their removal to New Zealand.
Both men are known to be founding members of the Descendants gang, which is a ‘Declared Criminal Organisation’ in the state of South Australia.
“Their removal will leave the outlaw motorcycle gang without leadership and reduced capacity to commit criminal activity, including distributing drugs, in South Australia. This factor alone certainly enhances the safety of the community,” the Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police and South Australia Police said in a joint statement.
The operation to cancel the men’s visas on character grounds also involved the Department of Home Affairs and the Taxation Office.
More than 300 outlaw biker gang members or organised crime members have had their Australian visas cancelled or refused since 2014.
Border Force Commander of Special investigations, Greg Linsdell, said the Australian Government has an ongoing commitment to protect the community from those involved in serious criminal activity.
“The Border Force and our partner agencies maintain a strong focus on disrupting the activities of outlaw motorcycle gangs,” Linsdell said.
“There are provisions under section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 that allow the Minister or a delegate to refuse or cancel a visa if the person is considered to not be of good character.
“Any non-citizen with an extensive criminal history and involvement with a criminal organisation, such as [a biker gang], can expect to have their Australian visa cancelled and to be removed from our country.”
Detective Acting Superintendent Gavin Stone of the Federal Police said both men have criminal records.
“Outlaw motorcycle gangs exist for one reason only – to make as much money as possible, in any way possible,” he said.
“They are sophisticated, violent organised criminal networks that have zero respect for the law and regard themselves as above it, and the Descendants are no different.”