Australia to cancel visas of foreign bikie gang members: immigration department

The Australian government has on Friday announced a crackdown on bikie gangs Australia, with the Immigration Department warning foreign nationals they could be deported if found to be a part of an Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCGs).

According to a joint release from Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and Justice Minister Michael Keenan, 81 foreign bikie gang members have already had their visas cancelled and are awaiting deportation.

The statement said 31 had been detained in prisons, and another 23 were being held in immigration detention facilities in Australia awaiting deportation, while 27 have already been removed from Australia or have had their visas cancelled while they were overseas.

"The Australian government is responding to this threat in multiple ways including refusing or cancelling the visas of foreign nationals associated with these gangs," Dutton said in the statement released on Friday.

Meanwhile Keenan said OMCGs posed a "significant threat" to Australia, through their involvement in serious crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering and acts of high-level violence.

"I want to reassure the Australian community that law enforcement agencies are using their full arsenal of capabilities and exploiting every opportunity to proactively target OMCGs operating in Australia," Keenan said.

According to the government there are up to 6,500 members of 38 active OMCGs in Australia.

"These are not harmless motorcycle clubs -- they are well organized criminal gangs peddling harms such as ice, or illegal guns across our country and into our communities," Keenan said.

Dutton said the government crackdown would eventually discourage bikie gangs from engaging in illegal activities.

"I have no doubt these visa refusals or cancellations are disrupting the operations of these criminal organizations," Dutton said. Endit