Raptor North bikie squad police have seized several guns and charged six people with various firearm, drug and assault offences, following an investigation into an alleged assault at a Newcastle pub last month.
It came after an alleged incident that began when a 36-year-old man was asked to leave the premises at Minmi by a staff member about 4.30pm on February 18.
Police will allege the man became argumentative and grabbed the female employee's arm before throwing a glass at the wall.
A brawl then started inside the hotel for a short time before the man and three others left.
About two hours later, the four men returned and allegedly assaulted several patrons in the carpark of the premises, including a 33-year-old man - unknown to them - who was knocked unconscious.
He was taken to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.
The four men left the hotel in a vehicle prior to police arrival.
Officers from Newcastle Police District attended and conducted initial inquiries, before the matter was referred to the State Crime Command's Raptor North squad for further investigation.
They executed four search warrants at properties in Cardiff, Edgeworth, Gillieston Heights, and Newcastle West from 5am on Tuesday.
During the warrants, police found five firearms, cannabis, and MDMA. All items will undergo further forensic examination.
Four men - aged between 26 and 36 - and two women - aged 32 and 36 - were arrested and taken to local police stations.
A 36-year-old man from Edgeworth was charged with 14 counts, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others, affray, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, possess unauthorised firearm, possess unregistered firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit, possess prohibited drug, possess/use prohibited weapon without permission, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV).
A 29-year-old Cardiff man was charged with 14 counts, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others, affray, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, possess unauthorised firearm, possess unregistered firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit, possess prohibited drug, and fail to notify change of residential address as prescribed.
A 36-year-old woman was arrested at Edgeworth and charged with possess unauthorised and unregistered firearm, and owner not disclose identity of driver/passenger.
A 32-year-old woman from Cardiff was charged with seven offences, including possess ammunition without holding licence/permit, possess unregistered firearm, and possess unauthorised pistol.
All four were refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court on Wednesday.
A second 29-year-old man from Newcastle West was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others, affray, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and fail to notify change of residential address as prescribed. He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday where he was granted conditional bail to appear at the same court on March 28.
A 26-year-old Gillieston Heights man was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others, affray, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and possess/attempt to prescribed restricted substance. He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on April 26.
Police will allege all four men are senior members or associates of local chapters of the Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG).
Raptor North co-ordinator Detective Inspector Peter Walke said police will not tolerate unprovoked acts of violence.
"These alleged brawls and assaults occurred in a public bar with innocent bystanders caught up in the middle, this is completely unacceptable behaviour," he said.
"As a result of these warrants, police also seized five firearms and drugs - uncovered as a result of police being called to investigate a brawl.
"Raptor North officers are continuing to take a strong approach to targeting OMCG activity in the Hunter. When you are a member of such a club, you need to expect that you will be under added scrutiny from police. This sort of violence is not on."
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