‘We’ll take everything you have’: Top cop’s warning as drugs, Ferrari and guns seized from Perth bikies

Police have seized $18.5 million worth of drugs, a Ferrari worth half a million dollars and multiple guns after numerous raids across Western Australia that resulted in the arrest of nine people.

Police Minister Reece Whitby said 370,000 “hits” of meth had been taken off the streets after 37 kilograms of the drug was intercepted.

Police also took $860,000 of dirty cash and three guns, including a submachine gun during the raids.

Police Commissioner Col Blanch said those arrested were low-level operators of bikie gangs.

“This major seizure has enabled us identify members of a criminal network who were equipped and prepared to receive and distribute a significant number of illicit drugs within the community, and I’m pleased that a large amount of drugs are now off our streets,” he said.

“We have some of the most sophisticated technology and resources at our disposal, and we will continue to target illicit drug and organised crime activity at every level.

“This arrest should set an example for anyone thinking of selling and supplying illicit products in this state – we will work innovatively to dismantle your operations, bring you to justice and prevent harm in our community.”

Blanch said police were using drones, tracking phones and using automatic number plate recognition across the state, particularly in border areas and that around 600 search warrants were issued every year to raid the homes and property of those thought to be operating an illegal drug business.

The consequences for getting caught was severe, he said.

“We’ll take everything you have,” he said.

“We’ll take your $500,000 Ferrari. We’ll take your millions of dollars in cash. We’ll take your houses. We’ll certainly take your drugs and your guns.”

Blanch said that while the latest wastewater drug analysis results showed WA was still the meth capital of the country, he was comforted by the fact that our overall drug use was much lower than in other states.

“Well, there’s no doubt that West Australians prefer meth as a drug, but when we look at in totality, with cocaine and heroin, which are two other drugs that are used consistently across the country, we’re well down the chain,” he said.

“The national average is around 72 kilos per 100,000 every year. We’re at about 64 kilos. But New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, all well above the national average. So from a drug use per capita, we’re actually fourth or fifth, right down the tree. So that’s that’s a good message.”

Whitby praised WA Police for using “the best technology available” to track drug traffickers and seize their property.

“They’re kicking in doors, they’re making seizures, they’re making raids, and they’re having a big impact,” he said.

“When you take millions and millions of dollars off drugs and take from these organisations, and if you take their cars, their toys, their all golden games, their cash, their money, their proceeds, you have a big impact on them.

“So look, this is an ongoing war, if you like. But our police in Western Australia, as the Commissioner said, are incredibly well resourced, are incredibly smart and effective in the way they go about their business, and they’re using technology that, you know, the crooks can only imagine.”