Geraldton detectives freeze bikie assets two months after week-long drug raids

After week-long raids targeting properties linked to Coffin Cheater bikies in Geraldton in January, several members have now had their assets frozen, detectives say. Geraldton detectives and gang crime squad officers have served freezing notices on several Coffin Cheaters members after an investigation into bikie-gang-related activity in the Mid West-Gascoyne district. More than $200,000 in cash and shares and about $270,000 in land are subject to the freezing notice. It is unknown who owns the frozen assets. Police allege steroids, cannabis, more than $18,000 cash, ammunition, firearm parts, drug paraphernalia, methylamphetamine, a “sophisticated” hydroponics set up with more than 35 cannabis plants and 1.6kg of cannabis was found at multiple properties linked to bikies between January 22-26. Shane Towns, 50, Kain Leigh Boekeman, 44, and Luke Bradley Crawford, 39, are facing court on a number of serious drug charges after the raids. Police allege some of the men charged are patched Coffin Cheaters members, while others are associates. Towns received a global fine of $2000 for possessing a prohibited weapon, possessing cannabis, two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia in or on which there was a prohibited drug, possessing cocaine, possessing a prohibited drug and possessing an unlicensed firearm. He is due to appear in Geraldton District Court on Wednesday, June 5, for a sentence listing date on more serious charges. Boekeman is next due to appear in Geraldton Magistrates Court on May 9. He is yet to enter pleas to possessing a trafficable amount of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply, cultivating a prohibited plant with intent to sell or supply, possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property, possessing cannabis with intent to sell or supply, two counts of possessing an unlicensed firearm, possessing a prohibited drug, possessing cannabis, possessing methylamphetamine, unlawful possession of a controlled drug, two counts of failing to obey data access order, trespass and stealing. Mr Crawford is yet to enter a plea to possessing a prohibited plant with intent to sell or supply. He is next due to appear on Thursday, May 16. Kelly Ross McLeod, 51, endorsed a plea of guilty to possessing drug paraphernalia, possessing cannabis and possessing a prohibited drug in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 14. He was fined $800 plus prosecution costs. Police ask anyone with information in relation to gang-crime-related activity to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it online at crimestopperswa.com.au.