Police have charged 195 people and seized 36 knives as part of a two-day crackdown on knife crime across Sydney's metropolitan regions.
Operation Saber V, a high-visibility and proactive operation, took place between 12pm and midnight on Thursday (11 March 2021) and Friday (12 March 2021).
More than 300 officers from 31 police area commands, the Police Transport Command, Dog Unit, and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command were deployed across South West, North West and Central Metropolitan regions.
Police charged 195 people with offences including possessing knives and drugs; and seized 36 knives and 8 other weapons including an axe, batons and knuckle dusters.
They also made 107 drug detections, conducted 228 bail compliance checks, and issued 589 move-on directions, 378 transport infringements and 174 traffic infringements.
Incidents of note from the operation include:
About 8.20pm on Thursday (11 March 2021), officers from Liverpool City Police Area Command stopped the driver of a Honda Civic, a 25-year-old man, on the corner of De Meyrick Street and the Hume Highway, Casula. Officers spoke to the man before searching the car, locating about 569g of methamphetamine and cash inside two bags. Police seized the items and arrested the man before taking him to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with take part supply prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. He was refused bail and appeared in Liverpool Local Court yesterday (Friday 12 March 2021), where he was formally refused bail to appear in the same court on Monday 3 May 2021.
Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling the Barangaroo area when they approached the driver of a Toyota Camry parked on Shelly Street about 10.20pm on Thursday (11 March 2021). Officers spoke with the 29-year-old man before conducting a search of the car, locating 9.8g of cocaine in 15 resealable bags and cash in the centre console. Police seized the drugs and arrested the man, taking him to Day Street Police Station, where he was charged with supply prohibited drug, two counts of possess prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. He was refused bail to appear in Central Local Court, where he was granted conditional bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 19 March 2021.
Officers from Liverpool City Police Ara Command stopped and spoke with a 40-year-old man about 3.20pm yesterday (Friday 13 March 2021), on Scott Street near Bigge Street, Liverpool. The man and his bag were searched, and police located methylamphetamine, knuckle dusters, a knife and an axe. He was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with possess prohibited drug, possess prohibited weapon without permit, custody of knife in a public place and have custody of an offensive implement in a public place. He is due to appear before Liverpool Local Court next Friday (19 March 2021).
Just after 4.15pm yesterday, officers from Auburn Police Area Command spoke to the driver of a Toyota Corolla, stopped on Victoria Street East, Lidcombe, after it was seen travelling at speed. A 22-year-old man was arrested after officers located cannabis and batons inside a backpack. He was taken to Auburn Police Station and charged with possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug, two counts of possess prohibited weapon without permit, negligently deal with proceeds of indictable crime and drive motor vehicle during disqualification period. He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 13 March 2021).
About 5pm yesterday officers attached to the Police Transport Command stopped a Mercedes sedan on Chancery Street, Canley Vale, due to the manner of driving. After speaking with the driver – a 27-year-old man – the vehicle was searched, where police located $97,240 cash and jewellery. The man was arrested and taken to Fairfield Police Station, where he was charged with recklessly deal with proceeds of crime, deal with property proceeds of crime and drive motor vehicle while licence suspended. He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 13 March 2021).
Commander of South West Metropolitan Region, Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell, said police were pleased with the outcome of the operation.
"What we've seen over the 18 months that Saber has been running is a link between knife crime and other illegal activity, such as the supply of prohibited drugs." Detective Inspector Evans said.
"Saber is intelligence-driven, and police only get better with each operation at identifying people who are carrying knives and other weapons."
"We want the community to know that our focus is their safety, and we'll continue to take knives and drugs off the streets and prosecute those responsible."
Operation Saber V Commander, Detectives Inspector Andrew Evans, said police will continue these operations throughout the year.
"We want to send a clear message to people who think they can carry knives and weapons and partake in illicit activities. You will be charged and put before the courts".
