NSW Police have charged 10 people and executed 74 Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) searches as part of a week-long operation targeting organised criminal networks across the state.
The State Crime Command's Raptor Squad and Raptor North, with the assistance of State Intelligence Command, Barrier Police District, and the Dog Squad, conducted a 'Week of Action' between Tuesday 16 and Friday 19 August 2024.
During the week-long operation, officers seized over 14kg of cannabis, 244g methylamphetamine, $145,350 cash, ammunition, 5,066 vapes, prohibited drugs and 14 vials of steroids, and various prohibited weapons including knives, an electronic stun device, extendable baton, handcuffs, knuckle dusters, and nunchakus. All of which will undergo further forensic examination.
Raptor Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis, said these operations are aimed at suppressing criminal behaviour.
"Over the past week, officers spoke with individuals allegedly linked to criminal groups, while also executing FPO searches and search warrants," Det Supt Koutsoufis said.
"While no firearms were seized, that is a good indication that these targets don't readily have access to such weapons.
"High-visibility policing strategies such as these will continue to target those who deliberately engage in criminal behaviour and successfully disrupt the activities of criminal groups."
Incidents of note include;
- About 6am on Tuesday (16 July 2024), Raptor Squad officers attended a home at Quakers Hill, and conducted an FPO compliance check. During a search of the home, officers seized steroids. A search warrant was subsequently executed after officers located 10 boxes containing 2000 vapes in the garage. The occupant, a 35-year-old OMCG associate was issued a court attendance notice for three counts of possess prohibited drug to appear in Blacktown Local Court on Tuesday 20 August 2024. The vapes, mobile phones and CCTV were seized with investigations ongoing.
- About 6.40am on Tuesday, officers attached to Raptor North attended a home on Howarth Street, Wyong, and conducted an FPO compliance check. During a search of the home, officers seized clear resealable bags containing white powder, MDMA capsules, cannabis edibles, knuckledusters and vials of steroids. The 24-year-old occupant was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited weapon and possess prescribed restricted substances. He was refused bail to appear at Wyong Local Court on Wednesday (17 July 2024). The seized items will be forensically examined with investigations ongoing.
- About 7am on Tuesday, officers attached to Raptor North attended a home on Woodbury Road, Mardi, on the Central Coast and conducted an FPO compliance check. During a search of the home, officers located cocaine, methylamphetamine and cannabis. A search warrant was subsequently executed with officers seizing a 'zombie knife'. The occupant, a 23-year-old Bandido OMCG President was arrested and taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited weapon and fail to comply reporting obligations. He was refused bail to appear at Wyong Local Court on Wednesday (17 July 2024). The seized items will undergo forensic examination.
- About 12.20pm on Tuesday, Raptor Squad OSG attended a home on Murray Street, St Marys, and conducted an FPO compliance check. A 34-year-old man returned to the home and confronted officers who attempted to restrain him. The Bandidos OMCG member was arrested after allegedly assaulting a senior constable and taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged with assault police and two counts of hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Thursday 8 August 2024.
- About 1.45pm on Tuesday, officers attached to Raptor North attended a home on Emu Drive, San Remo, on the Central Coast and conducted an FPO compliance check. During a search of the home, officers located and seized cannabis. The occupant, a 55-year-old Rebels OMCG member was issued a court attendance notice for possess prohibited drug and he is due to appear at Wyong Local Court on Friday 16 August 2024.
- Just after 6.30am on Wednesday (17 July 2024), Raptor Squad OSG attended a home on Clyde Street, Guildford and conducted an FPO compliance check. During a search of the home, officers seized cocaine, vials of steroids and mobile phones. The occupant, a 23-year-old man, was arrested and taken to Granville Police Station where he was charged with breach of bail, appearing at Parramatta LC the same day. He was also issued a court attendance notice for the drug offences and will appear in court at a later date.
- About 10.30am on Wednesday, Raptor Squad OSG attended a home on Camorta Close, Kings Park, and conducted an FPO compliance check. During a search of the home, officers seized a spring-loaded flick knife, cannabis and vials of testosterone. The occupant, a 30-year-old man was arrested and taken to Riverstone Police Station where he was charged with use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order, possess prohibited drug and breach of bail. He was refused bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court the same day.
- About 11.40am on Wednesday, Raptor Squad officers along with detectives from Barrier Police District attended a home on Lane Lane, Broken Hill, and conducted an FPO check. During a search of the home, officers located cash and during a subsequent search warrant seized $45,000 cash, 150g of methylamphetamine, and small quantities of prohibited drugs and prescribed substances. The seized items will be forensically examined with investigations ongoing.
- About 2pm on Wednesday, Raptor Squad OSG attended a home on The Avenue, Condell Park, and conducted an FPO check. During a search of the home, officers located 15 boxes containing 3000 vapes. A search warrant was subsequently executed with officers seizing the vapes, $3,000 cash, a 'Rolex' watch, two vials testosterone and mobile phones. The seized items will be forensically examined with investigations ongoing.
- Just after 6am on Thursday (18 July 2024), Raptor Squad officers attended a home on Orleans Crescent, Toongabbie, and conducted an FPO check. During a search of the home, officers seized a spring-loaded flick knife, an extendable baton, and small quantities of steroids and cannabis. The occupant, a 51-year-old Hells Angel OMCG president was issued a court attendance notice for two counts of possess prohibited weapon and three counts of possess prohibited drug. He is due to appear at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday 5 September 2024.
- About 7.15am on Thursday, Raptor Squad officers attended a home on Coowarra Drive, St Clair, and conducted an FPO check. Checks revealed a Harley Davidson motorcycle in the driveway had reportedly been stolen from the South Coast in 2022. The motorcycle, valued at $100,00 was seized for forensic examination with investigations ongoing.
- About 10.40am on Thursday, Raptor Squad OSG attended a home on Gaffney Street, Broken Hill, and conducted an FPO compliance check. During a search of the home, officers seized a flick knife and nunchaku. The occupant, a 30-year-old man, is expected to be charged with two counts of possess prohibited weapon and breach of weapons prohibition order to appear at court at a later date.
- Just after 10.40am on Thursday, Raptor Squad OSG attended a home on River Road West, Parramatta, and conducted an FPO compliance check. During a search of the home, officers located GBL and methamphetamine. It was seized for forensic examination. A 56-year-old man was arrested and taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with breach of bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court the same day. A 27-year-old woman – who allegedly made admissions to possession of the GBL - was issued a court attendance notice for possess prohibited drug. She will appear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday 5 September 2024.
- About 5pm on Thursday, Raptor Squad Traffic and Highway Patrol, stopped a Ford Mondeo, on Nicholls Street, Broken Hill. Officers spoke to the driver, a 50-year-old man and during a subsequent search of the vehicle and attached trailer, seizing over 3kg of cannabis with an estimated potential street value of $96,000. The man was arrested and taken to Broken Hill Police Station where he was charged with supply cannabis – indictable quantity and possess prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Brown Hill Local Court on Tuesday 20 August 2024.
- About 10.40am yesterday (Friday 19 July 2024), Raptor Squad attended a home at Gledswood Hills, and conducted an FPO compliance check. During a subsequent search warrant, officers seized 9.5kg of cannabis and $96,000 cash. The occupant, a 34-year-old Rebels OMCG associate was arrested and taken to Narellan Police Station. He was later released pending further investigation.
- About 6am yesterday, Raptor Squad attended a home at Oran Park, and conducted an FPO compliance check. During a subsequent search warrant, officers seized ammunition. The occupant, a 31-year-old man was arrested and taken to Narellan Police Station where he was charged with possess ammunition without holding a licence, acquire etc ammunition subject to prohibition and not comply with digital evidence access order. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Picton Local Court on Thursday 5 September 2024.
Inquiries by Raptor Squad are continuing, and more arrests are expected.
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009, before becoming a standalone squad in 2021. Raptor Squad 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 the Raptor Squad can report it directly to investigators via their 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.
