Members of the Australian Comancheros have arrived in Europe. Source: Herald Sun
BIKIES from Australian outlaw motorcycle gangs have arrived in Europe, prompting fears of a turf war.
Europol has warned the continent's police forces that the influx of dozens of bikies, including outlaw gang members from North America, could amount to an "act of provocation" to local motorcycle chapters.
It said the gangs could clash over organised crime markets with which some members have been linked.
These include money laundering and the trade in drugs, in guns - and in people.
According to the police intelligence, Australian Comancheros and Rebels members had arrived, and more might still be to come.
Members of the Mongols and Vagos groups from the United States, and Rock Machine from Canada, had also arrived.
Europol spokesman Soren Pedersen said it could be that members were peaceful. Australia's Coffin Cheaters had set up chapters in Norway in the past four years "without any trouble".
"With the Comancheros and Rebels coming to European turf, what we fear is what we have seen from clubs in the US, Canada and Australia," Mr Pedersen said.
"Just establishing a chapter on the turf of another group is interpreted as an act of provocation and could lead to violence.
"The 'Nordic Biker Wars' of the 1990s was over turf," Mr Pedersen said.
"They risk getting crowded and when there is a clash they don't hesitate using arms or violence in public."
The Nordic Wars, involving chapters in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, saw 12 killed and 100 wounded in a series of assassinations, car bombings, and firing of anti-tank rockets.
Mr Pedersen would not comment on the numbers of Australians coming to Europe, but said it was "limited" and that Europol was working closely with the Australian Federal Police on the matter.
"We have given our members, including Australia, a general warning . . . to make everyone aware of the phenomena and the risk of tensions and fights," he said.
Australian police intelligence reports have linked Australia's motorcycle gangs with drug-related crime in parts of southeast Europe.
Last year, feuds between Australian motorcycle gangs saw multiple shootings, particularly in Sydney but also in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.
Source: A day in the life of a wizard
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