Hells Angels member charged after search warrant

A 22-year-old Franklin man police believe is a member of the Hells Angels criminal motorcycle gang has been charged following a search warrant at his home earlier this month.   

Investigators from ACT Policing’s Organised Crime team and AFP Specialist Operations attended the home in Franklin on 13 October (2023) and executed search warrants on the man’s home and two vehicles. During the search warrant a mobile phone was seized and the man was required to provide passwords under a 3LA order issued by a magistrate.  

The man refused to do so.    

 A subsequent examination of the phone identified use of an encrypted messaging application. As the man refused to provide appropriate access to this application police will allege he breached the 3LA order. A 3LA order requires a person to provide any information or assistance that is reasonable and necessary to allow police to access data, including account based data, held in or accessible from a computer or data storage device found on the premises where a search warrant is being executed.   

The man was arrested yesterday (Friday 20 October 2023) and was charged with contravening a 3LA order. As a result of being charged with this offence, he was found to be in breach of an existing Intensive Corrections Order issued in NSW in 2022.  

The 22-year-old man is expected to face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Saturday, 21 October 2023).  

Detective Inspector Mark Steel said ACT Policing is continuing to target anyone who associates with criminal gangs in the ACT and the surrounding district.  

“We will continue our pursuit of criminal motorcycle gang members,” said Detective Inspector Steel.  

“Our dedicated investigators will use all lawful means to make the ACT a hostile environment for gang members.”  

Anyone with any information about criminal motorcycle gang activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.    

MEDIA ENQUIRIES  

POLICE MEDIA — (02) 5126 9070,  act-police-media@afp.gov.au