Famous Larrimah pub shuts after bikies visit sister venue on 'charity run'

The owner of the Northern Territory's famous Larrimah Pink Panther Hotel and the Stuarts Well Roadhouse has shuttered both businesses following a police raid regarding "a visit" by the Outlaws bikie gang this week.

In a statement released yesterday, an NT Police spokesperson said investigators had searched the Stuarts Well Roadhouse "and an adjoining property" after a tip-off alleging breaches of the venue's liquor licence.

They said officers searched the property on Wednesday and allegedly found an unsecured firearm and ammunition, 214 packs of illegal cigarettes, six unlawfully imported OC spray canisters and $3,800 in cash.

Police charged a 59-year-old man with unlawfully possessing a Schedule 8 drug and a 33-year-old man with breaching his firearms licence conditions.

They also charged a 71-year-old man with manufacturing, selling or purchasing a prohibited weapon, with all three due to face the Alice Springs Local Court in January next year.

The spokesperson said the alleged liquor licence breaches had been referred to Licensing NT.

'Corrupt cops', government 'harassment'

Following the raid, the owner of both venues, Laura Ragless, took to social media to announce they were each "officially closed".

"Don’t bother coming the government harassment and all has taken its toll sorry," she wrote.

"We will always respect our supporters but no longer can take the government harassment the convicts running this country."

On Tuesday, Ms Ragless posted pictures to the Stuarts Well Roadhouse Facebook page showing members of the Outlaws motorcycle gang attending the pub on the Stuart Highway south of Alice Springs.

"A little rain and wind can’t stop these legends from hitting the road," she wrote.

"Great to see the crew rolling into our roadhouse today!

"Thanks for stopping by, guys. Ride safe and enjoy the journey!"

In a separate post on Wednesday, Ms Ragless denied any wrongdoing and suggested the Outlaws had been on a "charity run".

"Accused of illegally selling cigarettes and gun charges when I don’t even have guns anymore," she wrote.

"And to top it off Stuart’s well [sic] locked down by corrupt cops that can’t even produce a warrant enough is enough."

In another post this morning, Ms Ragless claimed the charges were "trumped up" and the tobacco products were "personal cigarettes not sold in or around the roadhouse".

Under NT law, licensees and staff are required to direct outlaw motorcycle gang members to leave the premises if they refuse to remove "any clothing or items that identify their club".

'No animal welfare concerns'

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries told the ABC animal welfare officers had conducted an unannounced inspection of the Larrimah Hotel on Thursday after receiving "reports regarding animals".

"No animal welfare concerns were identified pursuant to the Animal Protection Act 2018 at the time of the inspection," they said.

"The Animal Welfare Branch assesses all reports received and undertakes enquiries where appropriate.

"It will continue to monitor and assess information in accordance with its normal operational processes."

Ms Ragless also took to Facebook on Wednesday to defend her treatment of the business's resident saltwater crocodile, Sneaky Sam.

"No one shut me down it was my choice and how about you google crocs they can only snap not chew so Sam leaves his food for later," she wrote in response to a customer.

"Would you like national parks and wildlife numbers I can give them to you that [sic] god you only had one beer."

The Pink Panther Hotel on the Stuart Highway between Katherine and Daly Waters made global headlines following the disappearance of local man Paddy Moriarty in 2017, years before Ms Ragless took over.

The still-unsolved mystery has been the subject a hit podcast, a book and a HBO documentary film, with Ms Ragless now selling merchandise from the pub featuring Mr Moriarty's likeness.