Second Fourth Reich bikie accused in court

By Courtney Trenwith
Updated November 5 2012 - 9:25pm, first published October 30 2009 - 11:15am

A second alleged member of the Fourth Reich outlaw motorcycle gang arrested this week on a string of drug supply and firearms charges was yesterday refused bail.Detectives from Strike Force Raptor, set up to target outlaw motorcycle gangs, searched an Oak Flats home on Thursday, where they allegedly discovered an "elaborate" and "sophisticated" hydroponic cannabis set-up worth tens of thousands of dollars.Taser guns, ammunition and cash also were seized during the raid, police said.Brett Jason Axam, 37, was arrested and charged with supplying an indictable quantity of cannabis, conducting a drug premises, running an enhanced indoor cultivation plant for commercial purposes, unlawfully using electricity, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of ammunition without a licence and possession of a prohibited drug.Detectives executed a search warrant on the Horsley Rd residence after the arrest of another alleged member of the gang on Wednesday.Shane Palk, 45, of Sutton Forest, was charged after police allegedly seized a stash of drugs and weapons, including grenades, detonators and an anti-tank mine.Palk was refused bail in Goulburn Local Court on Thursday.Yesterday, Wollongong Local Court was told Axam had divided a large shed in his backyard into three rooms, with two used to cultivate cannabis.Police said they found dried cannabis cuttings and eight cannabis plants growing in the shed, where large carbon extractor fans, 10 adjustable lights, fertiliser, chemicals and nutrients and four large transformers had been installed.Two dogs, a pit bull and a bull terrier, guarded the premises, police said.About $7500 hidden in a coffee table, two Tasers, one in working order, more cannabis, 28 rounds of ammunition and a manual for cultivating cannabis were allegedly found inside the house.Detectives expect the total amount of cannabis taken to be in excess of 1.5kg, the court was told."The whole hydroponic set-up appeared meticulous and well planned with the potential to produce a substantial amount of plants in full operational order," police facts tendered to the court said."The set-up appeared to be part of an ongoing criminal enterprise."Axam was refused bail to reappear via audio visual link on December 9.

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