Police dismantle gun manufacturing and distribution ring across Sydney
A major firearms manufacturing and distribution ring has been dismantled, with police seizing a cache of high-powered rifles, 3D-printers and industrial machinery during a series of raids across Sydney.
A major firearms manufacturing and distribution ring has been dismantled, with police seizing a cache of high-powered rifles, 3D-printers and industrial machinery during a series of raids across Sydney.
Two men have been arrested and over 15 firearms were seized including a .50-calibre rifle, an AR-15 and an SKS rifle along with more than 1500 rounds of ammunition.
Detectives from Campbelltown Police under Strike Force Lamm, assisted by the dog squad and Tactical Operations Unit, executed multiple search warrants on Tuesday as part of an investigation into gun supply and a spate of recent public-place shootings.
A search warrant was executed at a unit in Bardwell Park, where officers seized an unregistered Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver and 169 rounds.
Another search warrant was conducted at a storage facility in Kingsgrove, where police located a SKS semi-automic rifle, a pistol, ammunition, 30 3D printed pistol magazines and other 3D printed firearm parts.
Officers arrested and charged 39-year-old Emin Efica, with 10 offences including possessing an unauthorised firearm and participating in a criminal group.
Efica was refused bail at Sutherland Court on Wednesday and is next set to appear on Tuesday, December 9.
At an Arncliffe property on Forest rd, stunned residents were woken by Tactical Operations Unit officers storming the building late Tuesday night.
Inside the premises, officers uncovered what they allege was a significant firearms-manufacturing operation, including an industrial CNC mill, several 3D printers, 106 3D-printed magazines, and 124 firearm components such as slides, barrels, casting plates and receivers.
A man who lives in the same complex said he was jolted awake by “a loud bang” before heavily armed officers ordered him outside at gunpoint.
“I was just in a shirt when the SWAT pointed their guns at me and yelled to put my hands up,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
“I waited six hours in custody before they released me.
“I’ve never even seen the residents - I think it’s empty.”
At Narellan, police stopped a Toyota van on Camden Valley Way with the help of Highway Patrol and PolAir. Inside the vehicle, officers allegedly found a green duffel bag containing two privately made firearms and multiple slides, barrels and receivers.
Officers also located a box allegedly containing a folding sem-automatic style rifle, along with magazines, banana clips, ammunition and six silencers.
A bumbag also found in the vehicle allegedly contained a revolver pistol.
The driver, 29-year-old Kevin Youhana was arrested and charged with six offences including possessing more than three unregistered firearms, possessing a prohibited weapon with permit, and dealing with proceeds of crime.
Youhana was refused bail at Campbelltown Court on Wednesday.
Investigations into the wider network are ongoing, with police expecting further arrests.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Rod Hart said the takedown may be linked to recent gun violence.
“We’re quite confident the two men that have been arrested and are before the courts are involved in organised crime and may be linked to a number of public-place shootings that have occurred in the past few weeks,” he said.
More Coverage
Originally published as Police dismantle gun manufacturing and distribution ring across Sydney
