The grim reality of attending a Bandidos funeral is revealed – as mourners line up to get swabbed, tested and scanned by cops
The funeral of a bikie boss has laid bare how difficult it is to assemble an entire outlaw motorcyle gang in broad daylight with dozens of police officers present.
Bandidos’ Mid North Coast chapter president Peter Martin died in a motorbike crash last month.
Because of his high-standing in the club, attendance at his funeral on Saturday was compulsory for members.
Up to 500 leather-clad bikies attended today’s service, held at the Port Macquarie Race Club on the Oxley Highway.
The former Bandidos president, also known as Bandido George, was transported to the service in a motorcycle sidecar driven by the Guard of Honour.
Mr Martin’s death on a highway in Sydney’s west on September 10 sparked an outpouring of grief from family, friends and fellow gang members.
When members began arriving shortly after 10am they were swabbed, tested, scanned and registered before they were able to pay their respects.
During one uncomfortable moment before Mr Martin’s burial, the guard of honour responsible for the hearse had to dismount from his bike to be processed by police.
The guard of honour was made to take off his helmet with the casket left in the sun for several minutes prior to the burial service.
Former chapter president of the local Bandidos chapter in western Sydney, Peter Martin (pictured) was commemorated in a funeral service on the NSW Mid North Coast on Saturday
One man, who arrived in a car with high-ranking Bandidos, was taken away in cuffs
Mr Martin’s body was transported to the wake in a sidecar
Members that were driving were breathalysed by police officers outside
Members were swabbed, tested and scanned before being able to make their way inside
The mood of attendees was jovial despite the sad circumstances and police presence
Between 40 and 50 officers, including Sydney’s Raptor strike force unit, travelled 390km north of the city to keep a close eye on proceedings.
Members of the bikie group had anticipated the heavy police presence and were largely unfazed by the 10 police vehicles parked outside the race club.
Bandidos from Queensland, Perth, Sydney and the Central Coast attended the service and were identifiable by their jacket patches.
All identifying members of the gang were photographed front and back outside the venue from the front and back before they were allowed into the service.
If the members had driven to the event police also checked their license and registration upon arrival as well as breathalysed them.
Drug swabs and metal detectors scanning for weapons were also used as Bandidos went through the lengthy process of securing a seat for the service.
A regional Bandidos meeting will be held at the wake on Saturday, understood to be held at the home of Bandidos member Mitchell Sutton.
One man even brought his passport for identification at the event
A man is seen being scanned by a metal detector outside the funeral
A police officer is seen checking over on the Bandidos colours
A man puts his colours back on after being given the green light by police
One man, who arrived in a car with high-ranking Bandidos, was taken away in handcuffs and in a paddy wagon.
Despite the infamous club’s reputation dozens of ‘prospect’ and ‘probationary’ members of all-ages attended the service.
The mood was jovial despite the sad circumstances and heavy police presence.
Those who were not members of the Bandidos were held up for some time as each bikie was processed by police.
Two lanes of traffic each were marked with orange cones by officers, with motorbikes and cars split between the four lanes in total.
Two motorbikes were issued tickets by police for defect notices and two were carted away after being deemed not road-worthy.
Mr Martin’s service went for just under an hour with his family, comrades and even young daughter sharing words for the beloved chapter president.
Members also parked one of Mr Martin’s cherished Harley Davidson motorcycles beside the casket as the proceedings took place.
Bandidos swarmed by police remained in good spirits as they were processed
Two lanes of traffic each were marked with orange cones by officers
One woman is see checking a man’s licence as he arrives at the event
An officer is seen inspecting a motorbike parked outside the Port Macquarie funeral
