Three men have been arrested by Criminal Groups Squad detectives over their alleged involvement in the supply of illicit firearms, following investigations into a public place shooting outside a Prospect gym last year.
About 11.35am on Monday 29 November 2021, emergency services were called to Rowood Road, Prospect, following reports of a public place shooting.
Police were told a number of shots were fired from a Mazda wagon at a group of four men who were approaching the front entrance of the complex, before the vehicle fled the carpark toward Blacktown Road.
One of the men – aged 33 – sustained a gunshot wound to his lower right leg. The others were uninjured.
The injured man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Westmead Hospital and has since recovered.
Officers from Blacktown Police Area Command established crime scenes at both locations before the matter was referred to detectives from State Crime Command's Criminal Groups Squad, who established Strike Force Parbery to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
So far during the investigation, four men – aged between 19 and 27 – have been charged over their alleged roles in the shooting and remain before the courts.
As part of ongoing investigations, strike force detectives identified a syndicate allegedly involved in the supply of illicit firearms, including pistols and semi-automatic rifles.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives – assisted by specialist operatives from the Tactical Operations Unit and South West Metropolitan Region Operation Support Group – executed five search warrants at properties in Austral, Whalan, Mt Druitt, and Parramatta, from 6am today (Thursday 7 July 2022).
A 26-year-old man was arrested at a home in Austral and taken to Liverpool Police Station.
He's since been charged with unlawfully sell firearms three times or more with intent 12 months, supply unregistered firearm-pistol, supply unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm, supply shortened firearm (not pistol) to other, and knowingly direct activities of criminal group.
A 27-year-old man was arrested at a home in Whalan and taken to Mt Druitt Police Station. He's been charged with supply shortened firearm (not pistol) to other.
Police will allege in court the men were members of a syndicate involved in the illicit sales of ammunition and prohibited firearms – including a handgun and semi-automatic rifle – earlier this year.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Mt Druitt and Liverpool Local Courts today.
About midday, detectives arrested a third man, aged 26, on the corner of Durham Road at Mt Druitt.
He's been taken to Mt Druitt Police Station where it's expected he will be charged.
Investigations under Strike Force Parbery continue.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Parbery investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
