NSW Police have charged six people, seized four firearms, $660,000 cash and a vehicle following an investigation into the large-scale supply of prohibited drugs across Sydney's south-west.
In June this year, officers attached to Bankstown Region Enforcement Squad (RES) established Strike Force Daniel to investigate the large-scale supply of prohibited drugs – mainly cocaine – within the local area.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators executed seven search warrants at homes at Bankstown, Greenacre and Carramar from 6.30amam yesterday (Thursday 30 December 2021).
Strike Force Daniel were assisted throughout the operation by officers attached to Wetherill Park RES, Strike Force Hawk, Raptor Squad, South West and North West Metropolitan Region Operations Support Groups, as well as Bankstown and Burwood Police Area Commands.
During the searches, police seized more than $660,000 cash, four firearms – including a loaded revolver, a sawn-off rifle and two semi-automatic pistols – five replica firearms, a laser scope, mobile phones, a Toyota Corolla and more than 520 rounds of ammunition.
Police also seized 425g of cocaine and 25g of methylamphetamine (ice), with a combined estimated potential street value of $250,000.
All items seized will be subject to further examination.
Six people – five men and a woman – were arrested during the operation and taken to Bankstown Police Station.
A 27-year-old Greenacre man was charged with 32 drug and firearm-related offences including; supply prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, drive vehicle illicit drug present in blood, possess more than 3 unregistered firearms (1 is prohibited/pistol), possess unauthorised pistol, possess unauthorised firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, not police officer/special constable wear police uniform and knowingly direct activities of criminal group.
A 39-year-old Carramar man was charged with 19 offences including; four counts of possess unauthorised pistol, five counts of not keep firearm safely – pistol, two counts of possess prohibited drug, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, deemed supply prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime and two counts of goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle).
A 41-year-old Bankstown man was charged with 12 offences including; three counts of supply prohibited drug, four counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, possess prohibited drug, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, drive motor vehicle while licence suspended and deal with property proceeds of crime.
A 24-year-old Bankstown woman was charged with 10 offences including; participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, six counts of supply prohibited drug, two counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.
All four were refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Friday 31 December 2021).
A 28-year-old Greenacre man was charged with goods suspected stolen in/on premises (not motor vehicle) and two counts of possess prohibited drug.
A 19-year-old Greenacre man was charged with two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance.
The pair were granted strict conditional bail and are due to appear at Bankstown Local Court on Thursday 3 February 2022.
Investigations under Strike Force Daniel are continuing.
