A 37-YEAR-OLD outlaw motorcycle gang member has been charged over the theft of more than $10,000 worth of cigarettes in 2010.
The Cairns man and Bandidos member was arrested in north Queensland on Friday and is expected to face Cairns Magistrates Court on Saturday.
Police said ten people had been charged over the heist.
Detectives launched a cold case investigation earlier this year in relation to two thefts of large quantities of packaged cigarettes from a Woree freight depot in Cairns in February and May 2010.
Operation Kilo-Entourage came to focus on the Cairns chapter of the Bandidos, police said.
The operation found evidence of fraud, property theft, home invasions and drug-related activity.
Police say detectives have been “strongly encouraged” by the amount of information received from the public.
The 37-year-old has been charged with two counts of stealing property exceeding $5000 as well as fraud, possessing cannabis, stealing a vehicle, and possessing tainted property.
More arrests are likely over the weekend, police say.
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/bikie-in-court-over-cigarette-heist/story-e6frfku9-1226437385547


