Thirteen arrested over Hells Angels motorcycle joyride

A New Year's motorcycle ride from the Adelaide Hills to the city's south has landed a baker's dozen of alleged bikies a court date.

South Australian Police searched 16 houses and arrested 13 men under controversial anti-association laws on Friday over the January 2 joyride from Cherry Gardens to Pasadena.

It is alleged the men are members, prospects or associates of the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang - a declared criminal organisation under the Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Act 2008.

Detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Branch charged the men with being present with two or more other participants of a criminal organisation.

Detective Inspector Fraser Huntley, acting officer in charge of the Crime Gangs Task Force, put members of bikie gangs such as the Hells Angels on notice.

"The laws relating to public gatherings of those connected with declared criminal organisations, such as outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs), are in place to ensure public safety," he said. 

"Where gatherings of OMCGs are identified, the South Australia Police will investigate activities and take action to ensure the safety of the public."

All 13 men, aged from 27 to 68, were released on bail to appear before Adelaide Magistrates Court on April 9.

South Australian parliament in September passed a law barring the Hells Angels from accessing a regular meeting place east of Adelaide.

The legislation declaring the Ponde compound - which hosted a rock music festival until 2002 - a prescribed place was the latest move by the government to limit the group's ability to operate.

"We will do absolutely everything we can to make sure bikies have as little influence in this state as possible," Attorney-General Kyam Maher said at the time.

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