Police have charged 264 people and seized 36 knives while targeting allegedly Sydney's most violent public transport offenders under Operation Waratah 2.
Operation Waratah 2 was established in November 2024 following the success of Operation Waratah earlier this year.
The operation saw more than 200 Transport Command officers saturate the public transport network targeting dangerous and anti-social behaviour.
Operation Waratah officers arrested 264 people resulting in 462 charges relating to alleged sexual touching, assault and theft offences.
During the operation, police searched 524 people and executed search warrants and Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) compliance checks across Sydney.
As a result of the searches, police located and seized 36 knives and nine prohibited weapons including firearms, a bat with nails attached and a pair of nunchaku.
Police also made 104 drug detections, issued 244 move-on directions and 583 rail infringements.
Police Transport and Public Safety Commander, Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty APM, said that all members of the public should feel safe using Sydney's public transport.
"Everyday thousands of people commute across Sydney using public transport and every single person deserves to feel safe.
"These operations are designed to do just that and hold those people who want to engage in anti-social or dangerous behaviour on our transport network accountable" Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said.
"This Operation Waratah has seen an increase in more than 50 additional arrests and almost double the number of knives being seized since the first operation.
"I want to thank my officers for their work over this period, and their continued effort in keeping the community safe," Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said.
Incident of note include,
- About 11am Wednesday 4 December 2024, Operation Waratah 2 officers attended a home on Merriwa Street, Katoomba, following an investigation into a 41-year-old man allegedly wanted on robbery and weapon offences. On arrival a man allegedly ran from police. Following a search of the area, with assistance from Blue Mountains Police Area Command officers, the Dog Unit and Polair, the man was found up a tree on Merriwa Street. He was taken to Katoomba Police Station where he was charged by virtue of his outstanding warrants. The man was refused bail to appear before Penrith Local Court on the same day.
- About 2.30pm Thursday 5 December 2024, Operation Waratah 2 officers conducted a vehicle stop on Brodie Street, Yagoona. During the stop, police located 2kg of methamphetamine (Ice) in the vehicle. The driver, a 28-year-old man, and the passenger, a 31-year-old man, were taken to Bankstown Police Station. Following inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home on Wycombe Street, Yagoona. During the search, police located and seized more than 61kg of cannabis, 63 cannabis plants, $137,000 cash and designer clothes worth more $10,000. Following the search, police arrested a 55-year-old woman, a 57-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman before also taking them to Bankstown Police Station. All five were charged with multiple drug supply and dealing with proceeds of crime offences. All five were refused bail and appeared before Bankstown Local Court on Friday 6 December 2024.
- About 3.30pm Friday 6 December 2024, Operation Waratah 2 officers were patrolling a hotel near Parramatta Railway Station. During the patrol, police searched a 25-year-old man following reports he was in possession of illicit drugs. Following the search, officers allegedly located 34g of methamphetamine (Ice) in the man's underwear and 140ml of GHB. He was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug indictable quantity, and possess prescribed restricted substances. The man was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday 7 December 2024, where he was further refused bail to appear before the same court on today (Friday 12 December 2024).
- About 9.40am Monday 25 November 2024, Operation Waratah 2 officers were patrolling Parramatta Railway Station when they searched a 41-year-old man. During the search, police located and seized a pair of metal nunchaku. The man was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit. The man was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court the same day.
- About 2.35pm Tuesday 26 November 2024, Operation Waratah 2 officers stopped a car driving on Jacobs Street, Bankstown, due to reports the motorist was allegedly driving while disqualified. During the stop, police located and seized a replica pistol, a knife, allegedly stolen number plates and modified plates. The driver of the car, a 44-year-old man, was taken to Bankstown Police Station. He was charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period, supply prohibited drug indictable and commercial quantity, possess prohibited drug, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, goods suspected stolen in/on premises, dishonestly obtain property by deception, dishonestly possess interfered with unique identifier, and possess unauthorised pistol. The man was refused bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court Wednesday 27 November 2024.
- About 3.50pm Wednesday 4 December 2024, Operation Waratah 2 officers were patrolling Penrith Railway Station, when they saw a woman allegedly jump a ticket barrier. Police arrested her at the scene; however, will allege during the arrest she attempted to physically resist police before officers located a knife on the 32-year-old woman. She was taken to Penrith Police Station where she was charged with custody of knife in public place, hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, use offensive language on public passenger vehicle/train, and travel or attempt travel without valid ticket. The woman was granted conditional bail and appeared before Penrith Local Court on Friday 6 December 2024.
- About 2.20pm Thursday 5 December 2024, Operation Waratah 2 officers were patrolling the Strathfield Railway Station, when they located a shirtless man playing loud music and blocking ticket gates. Police spoke to the man, who allegedly produced a child's ticket, before attempting to search him. Before police were able to search the man, he allegedly attempted to leave, before officers arrested the 41-year-old man. During the arrest the man was searched with police allegedly locating and seizing a machete, small amounts of methylamphetamine (Ice) and 24 tabs of LSD. He was taken to Burwood Police Station where he was charged with hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty, custody of knife in public place, possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug indictable quantity, possess house breaking implements, and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen. The man was refused bail to appear before Burwood Local Court on Friday 6 December 2024.
