NSW Police have charged five people and executed 30 Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) searches and search warrants as part of a week-long operation targeting organised criminal networks across Sydney.
The State Crime Command's Raptor Squad, with assistance from local police across the Sydney Metropolitan Region, conducted a 'Week of Action' between Monday 9 August and Sunday 15 August 2021.
During the week-long operation, officers seized prohibited weapons, ammunition, prescription medication, illicit drugs and fireworks, all of which will undergo further forensic examination.
Raptor Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Jason Weinstein, said high-visibility policing strategies such as those used by Raptor Squad continue to successfully disrupt the activities of criminal groups.
"These operations target those who deliberately engage in criminal behaviour," Det Supt Weinstein said.
"Raptor Squad will continue to conduct overt policing activities on members of criminal groups using all lawful possible means to disrupt and discourage organised crime.
"Community members should expect to feel safe, and police will continue to seek out those who participate in criminal activity with unapologetic, intelligence-led policing methods such as those employed in the Week of Action," Det Supt Weinstein said.
Significant events include;
- Just after 7am last Tuesday (10 August 2021), officers attached to Raptor Squad executed a search warrant at a home in Flinders, seizing ammunition, prohibited weapons, prescription medication, electronic devices and other items. A 27-year-old woman was arrested at the scene, while a 41-year-old man – who is a Hells Angels OMCG member – was arrested at his West Dapto workplace. Both were conveyed to Lake Illawarra Police Station, where the woman was charged with possess ammunition without holding licence or permit, two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and four counts of possess or attempt to, prescribed restricted substance. The man was charged with possess ammunition without holding licence or permit and possess or attempt to, prescribed restricted substance. The pair were granted strict conditional bail to appear at Port Kembla Local Court Wednesday 1 September 2021.
- About 7.30am on Wednesday (11 August 2021), officers attached to Raptor Highway Patrol executed a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) on a 44-year-old man after stopping a white Holden Rodeo utility on Green Hills Drive, Silverdale. Police then executed a search warrant at the man's home, seizing several white tablets believed to be steroids. He was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged with a breach of bail and is due to appear in Penrith Local Court next year (Wednesday 12 January 2022).
- About 6.30am Friday (13 August 2021), officers attached to Raptor Squad executed a search warrant at a home in Riverwood, seizing a small amount of cannabis and an electronic stun device. A 26-year-old man, who is a member of the Nomads OMCG, was served with a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO). Inquiries continue.
Inquiries by Raptor Squad are continuing, and more arrests are expected.
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009, before becoming a standalone squad in 2021. Raptor Squad conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist the Raptor Squad can report it directly to investigators via their online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=49 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information provided to investigators will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
