Redfern Region Enforcement Squad (RES) investigators have charged four people and seized firearms, ammunition, cash and cocaine, following an operation in Sydney's south west yesterday.
In September 2017, detectives from Redfern RES established Strike Force Northrop to investigate and target the ongoing supply of cocaine within the Central Metropolitan Region.
Targeted police operations were conducted last year on nine nights over four weeks in November and December, which saw 137 people charged. Their matters remain before the courts.
Following on from these inquiries, police stopped a vehicle on Cambridge Avenue, Bankstown, about 6pm yesterday (Friday 12 March 2021).
The vehicle was searched, and investigators seized 8g of cocaine and 5g of cannabis.
The driver and passenger – two men aged 19 and 22 – were arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station.
With assistance from the Public Order and Riot Squad, a subsequent crime scene warrant was executed at a unit on Weigand Avenue, Bankstown.
Two men inside the unit – aged 21 and 25 – were arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station.
During a search of the home, strike force investigators seized a sawn-off shotgun, two pistols, over 300 rounds of ammunition, four electronic stun devices, a ballistics vest, knuckle dusters, $30,000 cash, 800g of Alprazolam (Xanax), 18g of cannabis and MDMA.
Police also seized 86.5g of cocaine, with an estimated potential street value of $39,000. The items will undergo forensic examination.
The 21-year-old man was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug, found on/entering/leaving drug premises, three counts of possess unregistered firearm, three counts of not keep firearm safely, possess unauthorised firearm, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, deal with property proceeds of crime and two possess prohibited drug.
The 25-year-old man was charged with found on/entering/leaving drug premises, two counts of possess unregistered firearm, two counts of not keep firearm safely, possess unauthorised firearm, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority, not keep firearm safely, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, three counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, deal with property proceeds of crime, two counts of supply prohibited drug and two counts of possess prohibited drug.
The pair were refused bail to appear before Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 13 March 2021).
The 19-year-old man was charged with supply prohibited drug and the 22-year-old man was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug.
They were granted conditional bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court on Thursday 1 April 2021.
Investigations under Strike Force Northrop are ongoing.
Anyone with information about the supply of prohibited drugs 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.
