Update 3pm:

Following further inquiries, a 50-year-old Mudgee man was arrested at Mudgee Police Station today (Thursday, November 29).

He was charged with demand money with menaces with intent to steal, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company, and participate in criminal group contribute criminal activity.

Police will allege in court the man, who is a member of the Comanchero OMCG, assaulted the 51-year-old man and demanded a large amount of cash in July 2018.

He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday 9 January 2019.

Earlier: 

Strike Force Raptor have charged five members and associates of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) across the state’s west following an investigation into an alleged extortion attempt.

In August, the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor North commenced an investigation following reports a 51-year-old man had been seriously assaulted and his house set on fire as part of an alleged extortion.

Following inquiries, Raptor North, with the assistance of officers from Orana Mid-Western Police District, Western Region Operational Support Group, and Hunter Valley Police District, executed 10 search warrants at properties across Mudgee, Dubbo, Gulgong, Yarrawonga, and Muswellbrook, just after 7am yesterday (Wednesday 28 November 2018).

Also read: ‘There’s a very nice lady in town whose giving away synthetic cannabis’

Investigators seized several items from these locations, including 14 firearms, of which three were allegedly stolen from a home in Ruse in December 2017, ammunition, prohibited drugs, mobile phones, and OMCG paraphernalia.

A 37-year-old Putta Bucca man was charged with 16 firearms offences, robbery, and detain for advantage. He was refused bail to appear at Mudgee Local Court today (Thursday 29 November 2018).

Note: Video edited and supplied by NSW Police

A 35-year-old Mudgee man was charged with demand money with menaces with intent to steal, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company, and participate in criminal group contribute criminal activity. He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday 9 January 2019.

A 32-year-old Mudgee man was charged with demand property with menaces with intent to steal, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and unsafe storage of ammunition.

He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday January 9, 2019. His firearms licence was also suspended.

Police will allege in court the men, all members of the Comanchero OMCG, assaulted the man after demanding a large amount of cash in July 2018.

Also read: A low-flying aircraft to make unusual sorties over Central West skies soon

A 47-year-old Muscle Creek man was charged with possess ammunition without holding licence/permit and acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order. He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Monday 7 January 2019.

A 27-year-old Dubbo man was charged with possess prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday 23 January 2019.

Criminal Groups Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace, praised the work of officers.

“Strike Force Raptor is relentless in its pursuit to disrupt the activities of OMCG members that pose a risk to the community at large,” Detective Superintendent Wallace said.

“We will not tolerate any form of thuggery and will continue to knock on their doors and put them in the back of police cars until these criminal groups are dismantled.

Also read: Why is Dugald Saunders shadowing government ministers?

“Anyone in the community who has information on organised criminal activity across the state, we want to hear from you.”

Investigations are continuing.

Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.

Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist Strike Force Raptor can report it directly to investigators via the Strike Force Raptor online reporting page or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Information provided to investigators will be treated in the strictest of confidence.