NSW Police have searched two properties in Sydney’s south-west yesterday and seized multiple firearms, illegal drugs and ammunition, NSW Police say.
Yesterday morning yesterday, officers from the Gangs Squad’s Strike Force Raptor searched a business on Canterbury Road at Campsie in accordance with a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO).
During the search police located four firearms as well as ammunition for each weapon. All will be subject to further forensic examination.
A 28-year-old man, the alleged owner of the business, was arrested at the location and taken to Burwood Police Station. He was later released pending further investigations.
Later the same day, as part of a separate investigation, police from the State Crime Command’s Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad (MEOCS), served an FPO on a 30-year-old man at a home on Sturt Street, Georges Hall.
During a subsequent search of the home police found a firearm, ammunition, steroids, cocaine, and cash.
Police also searched the man’s vehicle, where they located additional rounds of ammunition and vials of steroids. All of the items located were seized for further examination.
MEOCS officers were assisted by the South West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad, Dog Unit, Public Order & Riot Squad and PolAir during the operation.
The man was arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited weapon, possess ammunition, and possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court today.
State Crime Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mark Jenkins, said the recent seizures reflect the ongoing commitment of the NSW Police to stamp out crime in the community.
"We will not take a step back in targeting these individuals and sending a very clear message that illegal firearms will not be tolerated," Assistant Commissioner Jenkins said.
"Firearms Prohibition Orders are one of many strategies utilised by police to target gun crime and support ongoing operations like the recently announced Strike Force Osprey.
"Our focus is the safety and security of the wider community. Each time we remove firearms, drugs and ammunition from the street we are taking steps to maintaining that," Assistant Commissioner Jenkins said.
"I can assure members of the public that we are doing everything we can, and will continue to do everything we can to get these guns off the streets and target those who seek to bring them into the community."
Any member of the public with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
