Man charged after police uncover huge weapons cache for Sydney gangland hits

In a major Sydney operation, police have uncovered a sophisticated criminal arsenal including Mission: Impossible-style silicone face masks designed to fool facial recognition technology.

Among the items seized was a disturbingly lifelike mask.

Sophisticated silicon face masks which completely disguise a person’s features — similar to those worn in movies like Mission: Impossible — have been found in a Sydney storage facility with weapons and other paraphernalia for use in gangland hits and kidnappings.

A treasure trove of deadly weapons and accessories such as handcuffs, flash grenades, tracking devices and 15,000 rounds of ammunition was uncovered inside a Revesby storage unit and three other locations, resulting in the arrest of a 39-year-old man.

“The face masks are made of silicone and pulled over the head and tucked into a shirt. They totally distort a person’s look and are invaluable in avoiding detection from facial recognition or CCTV,” said NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden.

“What we have disrupted in this operation is a facility where organised crime would go to for weapons and other accessories to carry out serious crimes including murder,” he said.

Police received information on Monday afternoon about the set-up and an investigative team began working around the clock.

“Within 48 hours local detectives working State Crime Command located and raided four addresses and yesterday afternoon arrested a man who we believe is the linchpin for criminals to go to for weapons, ammunition, disguises and other accessories to be used in organised crime,” Ass. Comm McFadden said.

The lifelike mask is used to avoid face recognition detection. Picture: NSW Police

“They worked around the clock to get these weapons off the street within two days of getting the information and arrested the person we allege is significant in supplying these materials to criminal.

One of the guns and ammunition seized by police. Picture: NSW Police

A Revesby man was charged after guns, 15,000 rounds of ammunition and $140,000 cash were seized when search warrants were executed across Sydney’s south west. Picture: NSW Police

There were magazines fully loaded and ready to go. Picture: NSW Police

“It's a significant disruption to organised crime. We allege the man is a key linchpin for criminals to course weapons,” he said.

“There were magazines fully loaded and ready to go. An extensive selection of knives, tasers, identifications... the list goes on,’’ he said.

Police seized more than a dozen firearms, a “flashbang” grenade, seven firearms, three gel blasters, 15,000 rounds of live ammunition, numerous loaded and unloaded magazines, seven ballistic vests, 16 electronic stun devices, handcuffs, firearms parts including silencers, tracking devices, multiple other weapons including knives, electronic devices, a security uniform and lifelike silicone head masks.

A 39-year-old man was arrested in relation to the crime. Picture: NSW Police

Local detectives and members of the Tactical Operations Unit, Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and Bankstown Region Enforcement Squad arrested a 39-year-old man about 10.15am Wednesday, following a vehicle stop on The Ave, Yagoona.

The man was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with 60 offences.

He has been refused bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court today.

Originally published as Man charged after police uncover huge weapons cache for Sydney gangland hits