The president of the Rebels bikie club in WA Nick Martin and his wife have been arrested this morning by gang crime squad detectives. Mr Martin, 50, and his wife Amanda were arrested at about 7am on Wednesday as part of an investigation into alleged extortion and money laundering related offences.
The alleged offences being investigated stretch back several years. The couple are being formally questioned at a Perth police station but no charges have been laid at this stage. Several search warrants at properties and businesses linked to Mr and Mrs Martin have been carried out as part of the ongoing investigation.
Among the properties searched are two tattoo parlours, Emerald Ink in Balcatta and Execution Ink in Ellenbrook. According to company records Mrs Martin, 46, is a director and secretary of both of those businesses. A woman, believed to be Mrs Martin, was photographed being driven away by police from the Ellenbrook tattoo parlour earlier on Wednesday. The couple’s Balcatta home address has also been searched today.
Also Gang Crime detectives have charged a third person over an alleged extortion plot involving Rebels bikie boss Nick Martin and his wife.
The 56-year-old Nollamara man has been charged with one count of demanding property by oral threats and will appear in Perth Magistrate’s Court this morning.
Police say their investigation is ongoing and that they want to hear from anyone who runs a business, in particular a tattoo shop, who has received threats to pay protection money bikies or their associates.
Mr Martin is the long-time WA president of the Rebels — the State’s biggest and most powerful bikie club.
His lawyer, Michael Tudori, told The West Australian last night that the allegations would be defended and that bail would be sought for the couple when they appeared in court today.
The couple was arrested about 7am yesterday and taken separately to Curtin House for questioning.
Several search warrants at properties linked to Mr and Mrs Martin were also carried out as part of the investigation.
Among the properties searched were two tattoo parlours — Emerald Ink in Balcatta and Execution Ink in Ellenbrook.
According to company records, Mrs Martin is a director of both of those businesses.
A woman, believed to be Mrs Martin, was photographed being driven away by police from the Ellenbrook tattoo parlour yesterday morning.
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Source: The West Australian