Detectives from State Crime Command have charged nine men following investigations into the activities of an alleged criminal syndicate in Sydney, NSW Police say.
In November 2015, the Gangs Squad’s Strike Force Raptor commenced an investigation into the activities of the Burwood Chapter of the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.
After uncovering the alleged supply of methylamphetamine, the Drug Squad joined the investigation and conducted numerous inquiries.
Investigations by the Homicide Squad’s Strike Force Osprey also linked the syndicate to the death of Pasquale Barbaro at Earlwood earlier this month.
As a result of the Squads’ combined inquiries, two men – aged 27 and 28 – and two 24-year-old men were arrested by the Tactical Operations Unit at Sydney Olympic Park, just before midday today, before being taken to local police stations.
The 27-year-old man was charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, knowingly direct a criminal group, supply prohibited firearm, aggravated firearms possession, possess ammunition, and drug supply offences. He has been refused bail to appear at Newtown Local Court later tomorrow.
The 28-year-old man was charged with murder, and participate in a criminal group. He has been refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court later today.
One 24-year-old man was charged with murder, larceny, intimidation, and participate in a criminal group. He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court later today.
The other 24-year-old man was charged with participate in a criminal group, take/drive conveyance, and enter vehicle without consent. He has been refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court later today.
Following the arrests, a police operation was commenced involving police from various squads of the State Crime Command, the Tactical Operations Unit, the Public Order and Riot Squad, Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Central, South West, and North West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squads; and a number of local area commands.
In total, 13 search warrants were executed at properties at Sydney Olympic Park, Wentworth Point, Baulkham Hills, Gladesville, Merrylands, Constitution Hill, Meadowbank, Five Dock, Alexandria, Silverwater and North Rocks.
A further five men – aged 18, 22, 23, 27 and 29, were arrested during the operation, and taken to local police stations.
The 23-year-old man was charged with murder, driving offences, dishonestly possess interfered-with unique identifier, and participate in a criminal group. He has been refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court later today.
The 18-year-old man was charged with participate in a criminal group. He has been granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Thursday 15 December 2016.
The 22-year-old man was charged with habitually consort with convicted offender. He has been granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Wednesday 14 December 2016.
The 27-year-old man was charged with participate in a criminal group and habitually consort with convicted offender. He has been granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Monday 16 January 2017.
The 29-year-old man was charged with three counts of possess prohibited drug, and two counts of goods in custody. He has been granted conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday 10 January 2017.
During the operation, police seized more than 40 mobile phones/devices, 11 vehicles, a safe, cash, stolen NSW Police Force identification, and a variety of documentation, which will be examined by specialist forensic accountants from the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad.
Earlier in the investigation, police from Strike Force Raptor also seized 20 long arms, 23 hand guns, 15 prohibited weapons, including ballistic vests and masks, silencers, a stun gun, and a homemade pipe gun; ammunition, methylamphetamine, ecstasy, and five vehicles.
Also during this time, four people were arrested and are currently before the courts.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Field Operations, Frank Mennilli, commended the work of all officers involved in the investigation and yesterday’s operation.
"These results reflect the tenacity and skilled combined efforts of officers across the organisation," Acting Deputy Commissioner Mennilli said.
"In recent weeks, we reaffirmed the NSW Police Force’s commitment to cracking down on targeted violent crimes, and this operation is just the tip of the iceberg.
"The safety of the community remains our number one priority and police will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt anyone who chooses to engage in reckless, violent acts.
"Public acts of violence are dangerous and will not be tolerated by police. We will not back down; we will continue to target anyone who shows a blatant disregard for community safety.
"Every time we remove illegal weapons – including guns and ammunition – and drugs off the street, the community benefits," Acting Deputy Commissioner Mennilli said.
State Crime Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mark Jenkins, said detectives will not be resting on their laurels, with numerous investigations still underway.
"Inquiries by Strike Force Osprey are only in their early stages, and despite murder charges being laid, there is no definitive connection to other ongoing investigations," Assistant Commissioner Jenkins said.
"The Homicide Squad is pursuing numerous lines of inquiry in relation to the other seven murders, which will continue to be overseen by Strike Force Osprey.
"I can assure the community we will not give up until we have resolved these issues and while ever people choose to commit crime, we will target them and put them before the court."
Assistant Commissioner Jenkins also praised the resilience of detectives, who worked tirelessly on multiple aspects of the investigation.
"Working in collaboration, the squads of State Crime Command have dismantled an organised criminal syndicate and taken almost 60 illegal weapons – including 43 firearms – out of the hands of criminals; and prevented almost $400,000 worth of illicit drugs from hitting the streets."
Police are urging anyone with information that may assist the ongoing inquiries of Strike Force Osprey detectives to call Crime Stoppers.
