Nine individuals, suspected members of an outlaw motorcycle club, are set to appear in court following a police probe into a series of offenses, including drug possession, firearm violations, fighting, and inappropriate sexual conduct, in the Hunter region of New South Wales.
Authorities report that on the evening of November 1, a 25-year-old woman was allegedly subjected to unwanted physical contact by an unidentified man on three separate occasions at a hotel in Meriwether.
The same night witnessed further disturbance when three men reportedly engaged in a physical altercation at the same venue, with one individual allegedly brandishing a cutlery knife to intimidate a fellow patron.
The following weekend, on November 8, law enforcement launched an investigation into an alleged brawl at a licensed establishment in Shoal Bay. Reports suggest that a group of men attacked patrons outside the venue.
Police have identified the men involved in these incidents as affiliates of the Finks motorcycle gang.
Yesterday, beginning at approximately 6 a.m., police carried out seven search warrants across the areas of Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, and Maitland as part of their ongoing investigation.
In Kurri Kurri, police arrested a 36-year-old man and charged him with two counts of affray relating to both the Merewether and Shoal Bay incidents, as well as drug dealing.
He was granted conditional bail to appear in court on November 25.
In North Rothbury, police arrested a 33-year-old man and charged him with two counts of affray relating to both the Merewether and Shoal Bay incidents, drug possession, and refusing digital evidence access.
He was granted conditional bail to appear in court on November 27.
At an address in Rutherford, police arrested a 40-year-old man and charged him with sexual touching without consent.
He was granted conditional bail to appear in court on December 10.
During a search warrant in Maitland, police allegedly located a gel blaster and arrested two men aged 28 and 38.
The older man was charged with affray relating to the Shoal Bay incident, and firearm offences.
The younger man was charged with weapon and drug offences.
Both were refused bail to appear court today.
At an address in Windale, police arrested a 28-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman.
They also allegedly found a shotgun during a search of the property.
The man was charged with affray and both the man and woman were charged with multiple weapon offences.
They were refused bail and will appear in court today.
At a Bellbird address, police arrested a 32-year-old man and charged him with affray relating to the Shoal Bay incident.
He was bailed to appear in court on November 26.
At a separate address in Bellbird, police arrested a 34-year-old man and charged with drug and weapons offences after police allegedly found a ballistic dart gun and knuckle dusters on the property.
He was bailed to appear in court on December 3.
