Local Members Of Biker Gang Involved In Texas Shootout Face Denver Court
DENVER (CBS4) - There are concerns that biker gangs could retaliate against police after last weekend's shootout in Waco, Texas that occurred when rivals converged for a meeting.
One of the gangs involved in the violence has members in trouble with the law in Colorado.
Hearings are set for next week at Denver District Court for members of the local chapter of the Bandidos.
Eight members were indicted earlier this year on charges involving trafficking of large quantities of drugs, unlawful possession of firearms, and money laundering.
Drugs were allegedly sold from an Arvada custom auto shop and a home belonging to Phillip Lee Duran, believed to the group's leader.
The Bandidos are not just a national biker's organization, but international. Their colors are displayed on their backs and on the Internet.
What happened in Waco that left nine people dead is still unclear. The occasion was a meeting of different gangs to discuss common issues, but it led to a shootout.
Wade Aldridge is the attorney for the Colorado Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs. He says it appears the Texas trouble began with the type of meetings they have here.
"Some of them may have been armed -- you know the second amendment guarantees our right to possess weapons in this country -- whether you're the member of a motorcycle club or not," he said.
Aldridge believes the 170 people being held on bond is an overreach by authorities in Waco.
The metro gang task force tells us what happened in Texas is less likely to happen here because none of the Colorado gangs are currently at war.