THE boss of one of Australia's most notorious bikie gangs has been buying up property across Tasmania.
The Mercury can reveal Sydney-based Rebels Motorcycle Club national president Alessio Emmanuel "Alex" Vella has bought several properties in the state and owns real estate in Hobart, Launceston and Sorell.
Police say the Tasmanian branch of the Rebels has high-level links to the operation and control of the national motorcycle gang.
Apart from Mr Vella's properties, his son, Alex Jr, is listed as the owner of waterfront land at Triabunna.
That land, which locals say has only ever housed a large shed, was previously owned by the parents of a Tasmanian Rebels president.
The Tasmanian properties owned by Alex Vella house Rebel clubhouses at Letitia St in North Hobart, Merino St in Kings Meadows and in suburban Sorell.
Mr Vella has drug convictions.
"It's of concern that someone with a criminal history such as Mr Vella has close ties with Tasmania and comes to the state quite frequently," said Tasmania Police drug squad boss John Arnold, who is Tasmania's representative on the Australian Federal Police's anti-Rebels taskforce, Attero.
Detective-Inspector Arnold said it was a serious issue for Tasmania.
"The Tasmanian Rebels try to abrogate themselves from the illegal activities of the club interstate, when Mr Vella's property interests make it clear they have strong links with those activities at the highest level," he said.
With eight chapters in Tasmania comprising 50 patched members, police say the Rebels have long tried to paint a positive picture of the club with their participation in charity events such as the Christmas Toy Run and by saying that they are a community-friendly group of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts.
But the PR campaign hit a hurdle when a dozen members and associates were arrested in Launceston last year in an alleged $450,000 methamphetamine trafficking ring bust.
And police say the Rebels continue to play a key role in the distribution of methamphetamine in this state.
"The Launceston experience would tell us some of the members are heavily involved in the manufacture and distribution and they certainly are interstate, so it would be naive to think they're not still involved here," Insp Arnold said.
The AFP and police in all states and territories have a task force Attero, whose purpose is to eradicate the Rebels.
Police in Tasmania are asking Tasmanians to provide information on the Rebels' locations and activities.
"What we're saying is ring Crime Stoppers where your anonymity can be protected, because any information about their presence in the state and their movements is of value to us," Insp Arnold said.
The Mercury sought comment from the Rebels but none was received.
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