Rebels Motorcycle Club
Encyclopedia
The Rebels Motorcycle Club is an outlaw motorcycle club
in Australia with around 70 chapters and 2,000 members nation-wide. This makes them the largest club in the country. It was founded by Clint Jacks in Brisbane, Queensland in 1969 and was originally named the "Confederates". Their insignia is a Confederate flag with a cap-wearing skull and 1% patch in the centre. The Australian government and law enforcement consider them a criminal organisation, but they claim to be a group for motorcycle enthusiasts rather than gangsters. Their National President is former boxer Alex Vella
.
, Queensland
and Western Australia
and seized drugs
, firearm
s and even a crocodile
. A number of people were arrested on charges relating to the items seized.
Two Rebel associates were arrested for the murder of Bandidos
member Ross Brand after their clubhouse was raided, on 16 November 2008. Brand was shot dead outside the Bandidos clubhouse in Breakwater, Victoria
on 22 October.
Edin "Boz" Smajovic, a Bosnian-born Australian and Rebels member, was shot dead at the Macarthur Auto Centre in Campbelltown, New South Wales
. His funeral, which was held on 15 January 2009, was attended by over 400 Rebels, including National President Alex Vella
. The shooting was not thought to be gang-related.
A series of raids across Australia ended in 27 members of the Rebels being arrested on a number of charges, on 23 April 2009. Drugs, including methamphetamine
, heroin and cocaine
, were seized as well as firearms, cash, stolen goods and stolen vehicles.
On 18 May 2009, Michael Paul Falzon was sentenced to ten years in prison for the trafficking of a dangerous drug. He produced methamphetamine and speed in Mackay
, Rockhampton
and Dalby
and used the Rebels to transport and sell it throughout Queensland and South Australia
. The drug ring operated from 1999 until 2003 and made at least $1.5 million.
On 16 June 2009, Jamie William Dean was arrested and 'accused of setting fire to a chemical laboratory in Ilkley where he was allegedly producing drugs in May 2009.' although Dean 'denied allegations he was associated with the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang'.
announced that the Rebels were attempting to set up a New Zealand chapter, and that this was not welcome. New Zealand has reportedly been deporting Australian Rebels members.
Outlaw motorcycle club
An outlaw motorcycle club is a type of motorcycle club that is part of a subculture with roots in the post-World War II USA, centered on cruiser motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidsons and choppers, and a set of ideals celebrating freedom, nonconformity to mainstream culture, and loyalty to the...
in Australia with around 70 chapters and 2,000 members nation-wide. This makes them the largest club in the country. It was founded by Clint Jacks in Brisbane, Queensland in 1969 and was originally named the "Confederates". Their insignia is a Confederate flag with a cap-wearing skull and 1% patch in the centre. The Australian government and law enforcement consider them a criminal organisation, but they claim to be a group for motorcycle enthusiasts rather than gangsters. Their National President is former boxer Alex Vella
Alex Vella
Alessio Emmanuel "Alex" Vella , or The Maltese Falcon, is a Maltese-Australian businessman, former boxer and National President of the Rebels Motorcycle Club. Despite having lived in Australia since the 1960s, he is not a citizen of the country...
.
Criminal activities
In November 2000, police raided Rebels clubhouses in New South WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
and Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
and seized drugs
Recreational drug use
Recreational drug use is the use of a drug, usually psychoactive, with the intention of creating or enhancing recreational experience. Such use is controversial, however, often being considered to be also drug abuse, and it is often illegal...
, firearm
Firearm
A firearm is a weapon that launches one, or many, projectile at high velocity through confined burning of a propellant. This subsonic burning process is technically known as deflagration, as opposed to supersonic combustion known as a detonation. In older firearms, the propellant was typically...
s and even a crocodile
Crocodile
A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae . The term can also be used more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia: i.e...
. A number of people were arrested on charges relating to the items seized.
Two Rebel associates were arrested for the murder of Bandidos
Bandidos
The Bandidos Motorcycle Club, also known as the Bandido Nation, is a "one-percenter" motorcycle gang and organized crime syndicate with a worldwide membership. The club was formed in 1966 by Don Chambers in Texas. Its slogan is We are the people our parents warned us about. It is estimated to have...
member Ross Brand after their clubhouse was raided, on 16 November 2008. Brand was shot dead outside the Bandidos clubhouse in Breakwater, Victoria
Breakwater, Victoria
Breakwater is a residential and industrial suburb of Geelong, Victoria, Australia, located on the Barwon River, 4 km south-south-east of the Geelong central business district...
on 22 October.
Edin "Boz" Smajovic, a Bosnian-born Australian and Rebels member, was shot dead at the Macarthur Auto Centre in Campbelltown, New South Wales
Campbelltown, New South Wales
Campbelltown is a suburb in south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Campbelltown is located 51 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Campbelltown.- History :Campbelltown...
. His funeral, which was held on 15 January 2009, was attended by over 400 Rebels, including National President Alex Vella
Alex Vella
Alessio Emmanuel "Alex" Vella , or The Maltese Falcon, is a Maltese-Australian businessman, former boxer and National President of the Rebels Motorcycle Club. Despite having lived in Australia since the 1960s, he is not a citizen of the country...
. The shooting was not thought to be gang-related.
A series of raids across Australia ended in 27 members of the Rebels being arrested on a number of charges, on 23 April 2009. Drugs, including methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
, heroin and cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
, were seized as well as firearms, cash, stolen goods and stolen vehicles.
On 18 May 2009, Michael Paul Falzon was sentenced to ten years in prison for the trafficking of a dangerous drug. He produced methamphetamine and speed in Mackay
Mackay, Queensland
Mackay is a city on the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia, about north of Brisbane, on the Pioneer River. Mackay is nicknamed the sugar capital of Australia because its region produces more than a third of Australia's cane sugar....
, Rockhampton
Rockhampton
Rockhampton can refer to:* Rockhampton, Queensland is a city in Queensland, Australia* Rockhampton City, Queensland, a suburb of Rockhampton, Queensland* Electoral district of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia...
and Dalby
Dalby, Queensland
Dalby is a town in the Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia, and is located approximately west of the state capital, Brisbane, at the junction of the Warrego, Moonie and Bunya Highways. Dalby is the administrative centre of the Western Downs Region and the centre of Australia's richest...
and used the Rebels to transport and sell it throughout Queensland and South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. The drug ring operated from 1999 until 2003 and made at least $1.5 million.
On 16 June 2009, Jamie William Dean was arrested and 'accused of setting fire to a chemical laboratory in Ilkley where he was allegedly producing drugs in May 2009.' although Dean 'denied allegations he was associated with the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang'.
Overseas expansion
In January 2011 the New Zealand PoliceNew Zealand Police
The New Zealand Police is the national police force of New Zealand, responsible for enforcing criminal law, enhancing public safety, maintaining order and keeping the peace throughout New Zealand...
announced that the Rebels were attempting to set up a New Zealand chapter, and that this was not welcome. New Zealand has reportedly been deporting Australian Rebels members.