Rebels with a cause

Police have declared war on the Rebels Motorcycle Club of Australia, saying it will not be allowed to establish here. But is it too late? And how big is the threat, really? By Tony Wall.

YOU WOULD think the devil incarnate had arrived in New Zealand astride a Harley-Davidson. "Rebels not welcome here," screamed the press release, as police vowed to stamp out the gang before it begins "peddling the misery of methamphetamine in our communities".

Of course, the Rebels say they are not a gang at all, but a "club" dedicated to riding bikes. To dispel that myth, police released figures showing that the 17 patched Rebels members identified in New Zealand have nearly 100 convictions for serious drug and violence offences between them, and cumulatively have served 77 years in prison. A further 14 associates have notched up an impressive 90 years' jail time between them.

Police last month claimed to have dealt the Rebels a "severe blow" with a series of methamphetamine raids across the North Island, although it remains unclear how many of those arrested were Rebels and what role they played in the drug operations.

The Rebels claim to have set up chapters in Northland, Auckland, Thames, Manawatu and Christchurch. Essentially, some Tribesmen Motorcycle Club members with familial links to the Rebels in Australia have "patched over".
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/features/4733177/Rebels-with-a-cause