A man will reappear at court today after being charged by Strike Force Raptor who allegedly located a firearm during a vehicle stop in Sydney's west last week.
Just after 7am last Friday (22 March 2019), Strike Force Raptor Highway Patrol stopped a Mitsubishi 380 during proactive patrols at Merrylands.
Officers spoke with the 22-year-old female driver and three male passengers, aged 33, 37, and 47.
Checks on the driver revealed she had never held a licence and was currently disqualified from applying.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, Strike Force Raptor located a .357 revolver secreted under the passenger seat. The firearm has been seized and will undergo forensic and ballistic examination.
Police also located a firearm cleaning kit and various items, which were believed to be stolen.
The group were subsequently arrested and taken to Granville Police Station.
The 47-year-old man was charged with possess unauthorised pistol, not keep firearm safely-pistol, and an outstanding warrant for fraud offences.
He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday (23 March 2019), where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at Fairfield Local Court today (Wednesday 27 March 2019).
The 33-year-old man was dealt with by officers from Cumberland Police Area Command for outstanding warrants for special aggravated break and enter, commit serious indicatable offence-weapon, and drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.
He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday (23 March 2019), where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Wednesday 27 March 2019).
The 22-year-old woman was charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.
She was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday 17 April 2019.
The 37-year-old man was released pending further inquiries.
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.
