State Crime Command's Raptor Squad operatives last week joined their interstate colleagues for a national week of action targeting outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCGs) under Operation Morpheus.
Operation Morpheus is a joint initiative which combines the resources of all Australian state and territory police agencies and key Commonwealth agencies to detect, deter, and disrupt illicit activity of OMCGs, their members, and associates.
In New South Wales, Raptor Squad led a five-day operation between Monday 31 July 2023 and Friday 4 August 2023, which resulted in 74 arrests, 243 charges, as well as the seizure of 15 firearms and nearly $900,000 cash.
The operation was supported by officers attached to various Police Area Commands, Police Districts, and Region Enforcement Squads from across the state.
Incidents of note include,
- About 10.20am on Monday 1 August 2021, Raptor Squad officers executed a search warrant at a home in Jannali where they located and seized 1.1kg of cocaine, a hydraulic press, and items consistent with the supply of prohibited drugs. The next day, officers returned to the address where, with assistance from the Dog Squad, they searched three vehicles and found more than $4000 cash, drugs, a tracking device, phones and a luxury watch worth $50,000. The cars – two Mercedes and a Ford Ranger – were seized for further forensic examination. Inquiries continue.
- About 12pm on Tuesday 1 August 2023, officers attached to Manning Great Lakes Police District served a Firearm Prohibition Order on a 49-year-old Bulahdelah man. During a search of his address, police located three firearms, two replica firearms, ammunition, a crossbow, knives and Comancheros paraphernalia. Police also discovered three grow tents containing a total of 32 cannabis plants, 5kg of dried cannabis leaves and cannabis seeds and oil. The man was arrested and taken to Taree Police Station, where he was charged with 19 offences, including three counts of possess unregistered firearms (one prohibited), possess ammunition without holding licence/permit, and a number of charges relating to the cultivation and supply of cannabis. He was refused bail and appeared at Port Macquarie Local Court on Wednesday 2 August, where he was formally refused bail to appear in Taree Local Court yesterday (Monday 7 August 2023).
- About 11.15am on Thursday 3 August 2023, officers attached to Mt Druitt Police Area Command executed a search warrant in Lethbridge Park, where they arrested a 35-year-old man. During a subsequent search of the man, police located $46,000 cash. A short time later, police located and seized a firearm, ammunition, knuckle dusters, and items believed to be prohibited drugs during a search of the property. The man was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station, where he was charged with nine offences, including knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, a number of charges relating to possession of an unauthorised firearm, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and organises/conducts/assists drug premises. He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Friday 4 August 2023, where he was formally refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Friday 29 September 2023.
Raptor Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis, said Operation Morpheus is a great example of how Australian law enforcement is collaborating to target OMCGs.
"The results over the past week highlight the strong collaboration and commitment of all jurisdictions in targeting the criminal activities of OMCG and their networks," Det Supt Koutsoufis said.
"By coordinating cross-border and cross jurisdictional operations, we enhance our capabilities to disrupt OMCG networks, who we know are not confined to one particular city or state.
"Raptor Squad remain committed to the unrelenting pursuit of OMCGs and will continue to use the suite of powers available to us to protect the community from these criminals and their activities," Det Supt Koutsoufis said.
"Our message to OMCGs and their supporters is clear – we are stronger together, and you are in our sights."
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
