Alleged Vic kidnap plot bikie in bail plea

The Melbourne outlaw motorcycle gang leader charged over an alleged conspiracy to kidnap a former associate has begged to be released on bail so he can care for his dying wife.

Finks Ringwood chapter president John Napolitano, 43, was one of 18 people arrested on Tuesday in joint state and federal police raids.

The Finks' Ringwood clubhouse and 19 other locations in Melbourne were targeted as part of a four-month investigation.

Napolitano, Finks vice-president Joseph Girgis, 41, and sergeant-at-arms Jye Carter, 36, were among at least seven alleged Finks members charged with serious offences who appeared before an out-of-sessions hearing on Tuesday night.

Charges against Napolitano include conspiracy to kidnap, affray, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, conspiracy to extort, possessing a prohibited weapon, incitement and possessing a substance that is prejudicial to police jail.

Detective Senior Constable Dean Vincent told the hearing the charges stemmed from covert recordings.

He said Napolitano and others were heard discussing a plan to kidnap a former Fink, who left the gang on bad terms, after a court appearance in Ringwood on October 26.

Det Vincent said Napolitano was heard telling gang members to "follow him, wait until he gets into the back streets and then bang bang, hit him".

The man was to be taken to a bush location to settle a $2000 debt, Det Vincent said.

"The Finks have got to collect money. Tommy is worth another $2000," the hearing was told Napolitano had said.

Police foiled the alleged plot and intercepted one of two cars to be used in the alleged kidnapping, seizing weapons including a baseball bat, a knife, a machete and knuckle-dusters.

Napolitano applied for bail, saying he had never been jailed and that he needed to get home to care for his terminally ill wife and their nine-year-old daughter.

"You can put the worst bail conditions in Victoria on me. I just want to be at home with my wife," he said.

But bail justice Kenneth Coughlan remanded him, accepting police submissions he was an unacceptable risk.

Girgis and Carter were both charged with offences including conspiracy to extort, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, handling stolen goods and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

Girgis was already on bail awaiting trial on a charge of being an accessory to the murder of Michael Strike.

Mr Strike's body was found dumped in May last year, with traces of his blood found in the clubhouse of the rival Bandidos gang in Brunswick.

Girgis, a former Bandido, has since joined the Finks.

Carter was on bail on charges of extortion and driving while disqualified.

Bail was refused for both men.

All three and others are expected to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Police say they found drugs, two clandestine laboratories and equipment for making firearms in the raids.