Seventeen people charged in crackdown on Perth's tow-truck industry

[TowForce]

Seventeen people have been charged with a slew of offences after a major operation targeting Perth's tow-truck industry, which police allege has links to bikie gangs.

 

Seven tow trucks were impounded, and a total of 26 charges were laid as a result of the two-week operation, dubbed Operation City.

Charges included possession of prohibited drugs, reckless or dangerous driving, having no authority to drive, and various other driving and drug-related offences.

Police said several drivers they spoke with had links to outlaw motorcycle gangs.

"There's a history, not only in Western Australia but across Australia, of penetration of outlaw motorcycle gangs into industries like tow-truck drivers," Police Commissioner Col Blanch said.

"We do know that can relate to violence, intimidation, drug use, drug trafficking, and really [any] part of the motorcycle gang business."

The crackdown saw police speak with about 200 tow truck drivers from 37 companies.

"Most of the tow-truck industry is actually very good and very professional, and doing the right thing," Commissioner Blanch said.

"Sadly, there's some rogue operators who go way too far."

Read more of this story here:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-07/perth-tow-truck-crackdown-wa-police/103073854