Senior Rebels bikie arrested after alleged drug bust in Canberra’s inner-north

One of Canberra’s most senior bikie members has been charged with drug trafficking, after police allegedly found suspected cocaine, cash and a set of knuckledusters at his inner-north unit.

John Donald Wright, 46, appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court this morning charged with drug trafficking, possessing a prohibited weapon, and failing to comply with a legal order to unlock electronic devices.

The Rebels vice-president, who also goes by the name John Winchester, was arrested by detectives from Taskforce Nemesis, who swooped on the high-ranking bikie as he sat in a car on Mort Street in Braddon, near Canberra’s city centre.

Taskforce Nemesis is the ACT Policing’s anti-gang unit.

In court today, Mr Wright was granted bail under strict conditions, despite objections from the prosecution. 

Drugs in sock and knuckledusters in fruit bowl, police allege

A statement of facts tendered to court on Friday morning said detectives took Mr Wright to a unit after his arrest and executed a search warrant. 

It is alleged they found 60 grams of a white substance suspected to be cocaine hidden in a sock in a bedroom and under a kitchen sink.

Police also said they seized electronic scales and a pair of knuckledusters in a fruit bowl, alongside two phones which Mr Wright allegedly refused to unlock. 

In court today, prosecutor Sam Bargwanna said police expected to obtain a court order to force Mr Wright to open the phones.

Mr Bargwanna told the court the police suspected the phones would reveal information about the alleged drug trafficking.

Despite objections from Mr Bargwanna, Magistrate James Lawton granted Mr Wright bail under strict conditions.

He will return to court next month.