‘Wrong hands’: New details about suspected Dural ‘terror’ caravan

The businessman who alerted police to a suspected “terror caravan” has revealed more details about the terrifying discovery.

The businessman who alerted police to a suspected caravan terror plot has insisted he’s not a “national hero”, as investigations continue into the mastermind behind the threat.

The abandoned caravan – packed with explosives believed to have been strong enough to create a 40-metre blast radius, anti-Semitic messages and a list of targets – was found by a mobile coffee business owner on the side of a road in Dural, in Sydney’s northwest, in early December.

The man, identified only as John by The Daily Telegraph, towed the caravan onto his property, but only got around to inspecting it weeks later on January 19, using bolt cutters to break its padlock. He then immediately contacted police over the disturbing material he discovered inside.

Though he may have played a hand in preventing what authorities have described as a “potential mass casualty event”, John told The Telegraph he “wouldn’t say I’m a national hero or anything like that”.

The property at Dural in where the caravan containing explosives was relocated to before its contents were discovered. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The businessman has insisted he’s not a ‘national hero’. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“I would say it’s just a very good thing it ended up in my hands, and not the wrong hands,” he continued.

“That is about all I can tell you, I don’t know anything more … and the police have asked me not to discuss it beyond that.”

Some 100 ASIO investigators, and NSW Police and Australian Federal Police officers are now working to identify who was behind the possible terror plot, amid a spate of anti-Semitic attacks across Sydney.

Some 100 investigators have been dedicated to identifying who was behind the possible terror plot. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw

At a press conference over the weekend, NSW Premier Chris Minns vowed no stone would be left unturned as authorities work to stamp out the increasing number of incidents, the majority of which have targeted the city’s eastern suburbs.

“It is deeply distressing this is happening in this state,” Mr Minns said.

“I never thought in Australia, in 2025, we would see this level of racism or anti-Semitism.”

The Premier asked the community for patience as police presence ramps up in a bid to “combat” the attacks.

“We understand the community in NSW, particularly the Jewish community, are concerned about the rising attacks of anti-Semitism,” he said.

“Those who are going to commit hateful acts of violence, graffiti, malicious damage in our community will be met with the full force of the law.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns has called for the Sydney community’s patience as police efforts ramp up. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Nikki Short

He said the state government would also be progressing its hate speech legislation into parliament.

“I’m of the strong belief that violent acts don’t begin with violent acts, they begin with hateful words at some point, earlier in the process,” Mr Minns said.

The Premier said he knew some residents of Sydney’s eastern suburbs were “unhappy” about the increased patrols and police presence, which included helicopters circling overhead.

“Please give us patience here and give the police as much latitude as they need right now – nothing could be more serious at the moment,” he said.

“They are investigating a very serious counter-terrorism investigation in the state.

“The implications, I don’t need to describe, but they are massive and we want a huge police presence at the moment.

“The high-profile nature of it is as important as catching someone in the middle of the act – it is a deterrence and it is a deterrence that we need right now.

“It may be an inconvenience to some families and households, (and) I genuinely apologise for that.”

Originally published as ‘Wrong hands’: New details about suspected Dural ‘terror’ caravan