The Criminal Groups Squad's Strike Force Raptor seized a 9mm firearm and ammunition during a search of a home after arresting a wanted man in Sydney's south yesterday.
As part of ongoing targeting and disruption of the illicit activities of criminal networks, police from the Criminal Groups Squad's Strike Force Raptor were conducting inquiries into the whereabouts of a 44-year-old man, who was wanted on a revocation of parole warrant.
Following inquiries, specialist officers from the Tactical Operations Unit arrested the 44-year-old man at a home at Bexley about 5.45pm yesterday (Thursday 9 January 2020).
The man was taken to Hurstville Police Station while two other men – aged 44 and 49 – were also spoken to at the home.
A short time later, officers from Strike Force Raptor, assisted by St George Police Area Command, conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) search of the home, during which they located a Browning 9mm semi-automatic pistol hidden in a toilet and ammunition.
The man was subsequently charged with possess unauthorised pistol, possess unregistered firearm-pistol, not keep firearm safely-pistol, acquire pistol-subject to firearms prohibition order, possess ammunition w/o holding licence/permit/authority, acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order, and dishonestly possess interfered with unique identifier.
He was refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court later today (Friday 10 January 2020).
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and 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 Strike Force Raptor can report it directly to investigators via the Strike Force Raptor 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.
