Arrests hint hike in biker gang violence

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BERLIN, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Three men faced explosives and other weapons charges Wednesday in what German police say is a spreading war between Scandinavian biker gangs.

A Swede, a Macedonian and an Iranian were arrested in the northern German city of Rostock shortly after they got off a ferry from Denmark, The Local.de reported. Police said nearly a kilo of explosives, detonators and bullet-proof vests were found in their vehicle.

The arrests, which occurred last month, were announced Wednesday. Two of the men are alleged to be members of the Bandidos, who have been battling the Hells Angels for territory.

German police have been cracking down on motorcycle gangs, closing clubs, raiding gang addresses and banning the Berlin City chapter of the Hells Angels. The ban has caused some gang members to switch allegiances, including the head of the Berlin chapter of the Bandidos.

Violence between the groups has escalated in recent months. The Hells Angels have declared no other gangs will be allowed in Berlin. The leader of the Hells Angels was shot in early June and last month two Bandidos were shot.