Two people have been charged with serious charges including fraud, drug and criminal organisation offences following a major police operation in Dover yesterday.

A 44 year old man and alleged high-ranking member of the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang member was charged with:

• Operate a commercial fishing vessel without a certificate of survey contrary to section 43 of the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 (Cth).
• Omit information relating to assets owned or controlled without which the statement became misleading, and the statement was made to a Commonwealth entity, contrary to section 136.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
• Make a false statement with the intention of dishonestly causing a loss to another person, and that person is a Commonwealth entity, contrary to section 135.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
• Provide material support to an organisation, and that organisation was a criminal organisation consisting of 2 or more persons and the organisation’s activities include engaging in conduct constituting an offence against any law committed for the benefit of the organisation, contrary to section 390.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

He was detained in custody to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court this afternoon.

A 44 year old woman was charged with:

• Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 2001 (Tas). She was arrested on warrant and charged and bailed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court on 10 August.

The investigation is ongoing and further charges are expected to be laid.

Tasmania Police in collaboration with the Australian Federal Police National Anti-Gang Squad and Australian Border Force undertook specific operational activity targeting the Bandidos outlaw motorcycle gang members, supporters and associates in the Dover area yesterday following a six month investigation.