Alleged Melb bikie kidnapping plot foiled

Police have disrupted an alleged kidnapping plot orchestrated by a Melbourne bikie gang.

Victoria Police's bikie crime task force and federal officers raided a fortified Finks clubhouse in Ringwood and 19 other properties on Tuesday as part of a four-month investigation into their activities.

Eighteen people, including one woman, were arrested, and 10 have been charged with offences including conspiracy to kidnap, affray, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, drug offences and firearm offences.

They are expected to appear in Melbourne Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Superintendent Peter De Santo says the Finks were planning to kidnap a man from outside the Ringwood court.

"The conspiracy to kidnap arose several weeks ago, where it will be alleged that members of the Finks were attempting to kidnap a male person from outside the Ringwood court house," Supt De Santo told reporters on Tuesday.

Two clandestine laboratories and equipment for making firearms, crystal meth and cannabis were also allegedly found on the properties.

The raids in Victoria occurred at the same time as raids on the gang's clubhouses in Queensland.

Supt De Santo said Queensland's harsh bikie laws were a reason why Victoria was seeing more gang activity, as bikies moved down south.

Since the Finks established their clubhouse in Ringwood, they have begun feuding with another bikie gang, Supt De Santo said.

"We were aware there were some rising tensions between the Finks and another OMCG, and we've acted today in order to disrupt those tensions," Supt De Santo said.

But he said the kidnap target was not a member of a rival gang.

19 SUBURBS WHERE 20 PROPERTIES WERE RAIDED, WITH ITEMS SEIZED FROM 15:

- Monbulk

- Edithvale

- Endeavour Hills

- Bass

- Carnegie

- Ringwood

- Croydon North

- Chirnside Park

- Lilydale

- Wandin

- Boronia

- Healesville

- Taylors Lakes

- Sunbury

- Epping

- Mill Park

- Avondale Heights

- Doreen

- Preston.