Adelaide bikie Troy Nissen flew to Melbourne for secret meetings with exiled Descendants leaders over gang leadership

A well-known Adelaide bikie has flown to Melbourne for secret meetings with Tom and Perry Mackie, the exiled founders of the notorious Descendants gang. A senior member of the gang, Nissen has had covert meetings with exiled leaders Tom and Perry Mackie over the future operations of the gang. The Descendants – a number of whom are major players in SA’s methamphetamine trade – have been thrown into turmoil since the Mackie brothers were taken into immigration detention when their visas were withdrawn six weeks ago. The Advertiser can reveal Nissen, 41, had meetings with both Tom and Perry Mackie in Melbourne’s Broadmeadows detention centre a fortnight ago. He met Tom Mackie on January 23 and Perry Mackie on January 24. He is the only Descendants member to visit the pair since they were taken into custody by authorities at their Prospect and Ingle Farm homes on December 22 after the Home Affairs Department revoked their visas. Adelaide Magistrates Court documents reveal Nissen, who is on bail awaiting trial on charges of aggravated affray and being present with two or more criminal organisation participants, had his bail conditions varied in an in-chambers hearing on January 19 before Magistrate Simon Smart. The bail variation allowed Nissen to travel to Melbourne between January 22 and January 25. Nissen is awaiting trial with 10 other Descendants members – including Tom and Perry Mackie – over a brawl at a Blair Athol car yard in June last year. Police have been closely monitoring the Descendants since the Mackies were taken into custody, fearing an outbreak of violence as the gang’s new leadership structure emerged. It is understood members of the Hells Angels who have strong links to several Descendants members have also been taking a strong interest in the likely new leadership structure of the gang. Police are also fearful of what retaliatory action gang members may take if the Federal Court action the Mackie brothers have launched appealing their visa cancellations fails and they are forced to leave Australia. The Mackie brothers have been in firm control of the Descendants since forming the gang in 1974 after arriving from New Zealand. It now comprises 25 members and 11 associates. The brothers have ensured gang members avoid feuds with other gangs and criminals in order to minimise police attention on their operations. Prior to its Dry Creek clubhouse being closed, it was not uncommon for members of other gangs to be seen drinking there – a rarity among the bikie subculture. Its long term members include three other members of the Mackie clan – Dylan, Kurt and Jordan – who are well-known to police. Sources said there was no evidence that any of the extended Mackie clan were stepping into any leadership positions within the gang and none had so far visited the Mackie brothers at Broadmeadows. The day the Mackie brothers were taken into custody, police sources told The Advertiser the impact on the gang “would be profound”. “The Mackies have been running the Descendants forever. There is no heir apparent; the junior Mackies may step in but there are others in the gang who may feel it is their time,’’ a senior detective said at the time. “The power plays over the next few weeks and months will be interesting. Some will want the traditions of the gang to continue, others are just interested in making money.’’ Serious and Organised Crime Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Steve Taylor called the Descendants a unique gang because of its tight-knit, family-based structure which resulted in strong internal discipline. “As a result, what sets the Descendants apart from other clubs is that they tend to fly beneath the radar,’’ he said. “They have a lower profile than most well-known OMCGs in this state. Their main focus is making money through whatever means are available. “It is well documented and well-known that OMCGs exist to make money through whatever illegal means they can. Drug dealing and drug production feature highly in that regard.’’ A longstanding gang member, Troy Nissen has been a target of numerous police investigations over the past decade. In 2013 he was charged in connection with a $150 million methamphetamine trafficking operation following a lengthy covert police operation – although charges were ultimately dropped. Prosecutors alleged he was among 25 members and associates of the Descendants involved in a syndicate behind several clandestine laboratories and a stash of methamphetamine found buried in the Adelaide Hills. The operation resulted in the seizure of 21kg of methamphetamine, 21,000 ecstasy tablets, cocaine, fantasy, 4kg of pseudoephedrine, $240,000 in cash and two handguns. Nissen and a Descendants associate Alex Vanin, 34, of Hope Valley, both pleaded not guilty to offences arising from the operation including manufacturing, trafficking and being members of a criminal organisation. However, in an extraordinary twist in August 2017, all charges against the pair were dropped during their District Court trial after police refused to reveal any details about GPS tracking devices used during the covert operation – to protect the integrity of the technology. Det-Supt Taylor said Nissen was regarded as one of the more senior members of the Descendants. “He is regarded as an up-and-coming potential leader,’’ he said.