Two men will face court today following extensive investigations by specialist police into the supply of illegal firearms and prohibited drugs in south-west Sydney.
In September of 2018, police from Wetherill Park Region Enforcement Squad (RES) commenced an investigation into the illicit supply of firearms and drugs throughout the south-western Sydney area.
As part of their inquiries, Wetherill Park RES stopped a vehicle at Greenacre just before 8pm on Tuesday 19 February 2019 and spoke to the two male occupants – aged 27 and 29 – before searching the car and seizing more than $4200 cash.
A short time later, police executed a search warrant at a home at South Hurstville, where they seized a sawn-off double barrel shotgun and more than $150,000 cash.
The following day (Wednesday 20 February 2019), Wetherill Park RES, assisted by Bass Hill RES, executed search warrants at homes at Bankstown, Bass Hill, and Condell Park.
During the searches, investigators seized more than 10kg of cocaine, 5kg of MDMA, six firearms, ammunition, firearm accessories, an electronic control device, prescription medication, cannabis, and more than $310,000 cash.
Officers also seized two vehicles – a BMW and a Honda Jazz – which were later subject to a forensic search, with police locating cocaine, $6750 cash, two loaded pistols, and a replica pistol hidden in secret compartments.
On Thursday 21 February 2019, a further search warrant was executed at a home unit at Bankstown, where they seized 3.5kg of methylamphetamine (ice), 1kg of cocaine, a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, ammunition, and almost $125,000 cash.
In total, investigators seized 11 firearms, more than 600 rounds of ammunition, more than $600,000 cash, and prohibited drugs with an estimated potential street value of about $14 million.
All of the seized items have since been subject to extensive forensic examinations.
During this phase of the investigation, three men and a woman were arrested.
The 27-year-old Condell Park man was charged with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance, deal with property proceeds of crime, two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and possess ammunition without licence/permit/authority.
The 29-year-old Bass Hill man was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal and deal with property proceeds of crime.
A 52-year-old South Hurstville man was charged dealing with proceeds of crime and firearms offences.
He is currently on strict conditional bail and next due to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday 30 April 2019.
The 32-year-old Bankstown woman was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, possess unregistered firearm-pistol, use, supply, acquire or possess defaced firearm, not keep firearm safe, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit, and organise/conducts/assists drug premises.
She remains refused bail to next appear at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday 9 May 2019.
Following further investigations, Wetherill Park RES executed two further search warrants at Bass Hill and Revesby just before 8am today (Tuesday 9 April 2019).
Two men – aged 27 and 29 – who were arrested in February, were again arrested during today's operation and taken to local police stations.
The younger man was charged with additional drug and firearms offences, as well as knowingly direct activities of criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court today (Tuesday 9 April 2019)
The older man was charged with additional drug and firearms offences, as well as knowingly participate in criminal group assist crime. He was refused bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court today.
Anyone with information about the supply of illegal firearms and/or prohibited drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
