A man will appear in court today following the seizure of four handguns, nearly $350,000 cash and illicit drugs in Sydney’s west.
In 2018, detectives from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor commenced an investigation into the illicit activities of a group operating across Sydney.
As part of their inquiries, Strike Force Raptor executed a search warrant at a storage facility at Waterloo on Wednesday 30 May 2018.
During the search, police located 1.15kg of cocaine, 1.1kg of methylamphetamine, 26L of GBL, 13 firearms, including five sub-machine guns, two semi-automatic pistols, and two revolvers; ammunition, a silencer, and $2.75 million cash.
Two men – aged 32 and 34 – were charged at the time and remain before the courts.
Following further investigations, Strike Force Raptor stopped a vehicle on Frederick Road, Cecil Hills, and served a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) on the driver, a 29-year-old man, just before 11am yesterday (Tuesday 9 July 2019).
Shortly after, police executed a crime scene warrant at a home on Clarence Drive, Elizabeth Hills.
During the search, police located a Glock pistol, a Beretta pistol, a Desert Eagle pistol, a Smith & Wesson revolver, ammunition, more than 650g of methylamphetamine, 580g of cocaine, 740g of heroin, and $347,000 cash.
The firearms will undergo forensic and ballistic examination.
The 29-year-old man was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station where he was charged with 21 offences including four counts of possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, four counts of possess unregistered firearm-pistol, four counts of not keep firearm safely-prohibited firearm, supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
He was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court today (Wednesday 10 July 2019).
Investigations are continuing.
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.
