The recent arrest of the 57-year-old Hells Angels sergeant-at-arms at Sydney International Airport on December 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve), based on the latest available reports from NSW Police, regional news outlets (like Cessnock Advertiser, Newcastle Herald, and official police releases), and related developments.

The Trigger: Alleged Clubhouse “Takeover” in July 2025

The chain of events began on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in the Hunter Region (specifically around Maitland, NSW). According to police and sources close to the situation:

• Members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (an international outlaw motorcycle gang) allegedly descended on a Gladiators Motorcycle Club clubhouse.
• Reports describe a violent incident involving a “hostile takeover”: the premises were reportedly damaged (including fires), shots were allegedly fired, and the Gladiators were pressured to “patch over” (i.e., switch allegiance and join the Hells Angels under their patch).
• The Gladiators reportedly refused, leading to escalating tensions between the two rival outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs).

This incident sparked fears of retaliatory violence and turf wars in the region.

Police Response: Strike Force Benson Launched

In response, NSW Police’s State Crime Command Raptor Squad established Strike Force Benson in August 2025. The goal was to disrupt the escalating feud and prevent further violence.

Key actions taken early on:

• On August 1, 2025, officers issued 27 Public Safety Orders barring various OMCG members and associates from attending or approaching the affected clubhouse.
• Since August, police issued more than 30 consorting warnings to Hells Angels members and associates. These warnings prohibit them from habitually associating with convicted offenders (a tool under NSW anti-bikie laws to break up gang gatherings and reduce the risk of coordinated crime or violence).

Police allege that these warnings were repeatedly ignored. Breaches were detected during:

• Various “national runs” (large group motorcycle rides).
• The Hells Angels’ 50th anniversary celebrations in Australia.
• Interstate travel across NSW, the ACT, South Australia, and Victoria.

Major Raids in December 2025

The crackdown intensified in mid-December:

• On December 10, 2025, Raptor Squad executed 14 search warrants across Sydney starting from 6am.
• 11 men were arrested during the raids, with one more surrendering later.
• All were charged with habitually consorting with convicted offenders after warning.
• This brought the initial total to 12 charged under Strike Force Benson (note: one of these involved a different 57-year-old man arrested at an Emu Heights address, unrelated to the airport incident).

The Christmas Eve Airport Arrest

The story reached its latest chapter on December 24, 2025:

• Investigations (with assistance from the Australian Federal Police) led officers to Sydney International Airport.
• At about 11am, a 57-year-old man — identified by police as a Hells Angels sergeant-at-arms (a senior leadership/enforcement role in the club) — was arrested as he attempted to travel.
• He was taken to Mascot Police Station.
• He was charged with the same offence: habitually consorting with convicted offenders after a warning.
• He was granted strict conditional bail and is scheduled to appear in bail court in February 2026 (exact date not publicly detailed in reports).
• His name has not been released publicly in media coverage (common in ongoing Australian cases involving bail or active investigations).

This arrest pushed the total charged under Strike Force Benson to at least 13. Police emphasized it as a targeted interception to disrupt ongoing alleged violations.

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