Jaafar El-Masri, Youssef Berro, Danny Chami, Donya El-Ahmad charged after drugs seized at Greenacre, Carramar, Bankstown

A sawn-off rifle, revolver, semiautomatic weapons, $660,000 cash, cocaine and ice have been seized as part of an investigation into an alleged drug syndicate in southwest Sydney. Watch the arrests.

Six people have been charged after police seized four firearms, $660,000 cash, cocaine and a car at Bankstown, Greenacre and Carramar as part of an investigation into large-scale supply of drugs in the area.

In June, Bankstown Region Enforcement Squad (RES) officers established Strike Force Daniel to investigate the large-scale supply of prohibited drugs – mainly cocaine – in the area.

Following extensive inquiries, Strike Force investigators carried out seven warrants at homes at Bankstown, Greenacre and Carramar from 6.30am on Thursday.

During the searches, police seized more than $660,000 cash, four firearms – including a loaded revolver, a sawn-off rifle and two semiautomatic pistols – five replica firearms, a laser scope, mobile phones, a Toyota Corolla and more than 520 rounds of ammunition.

Police also seized 425g of cocaine and 25g of methylamphetamine (ice), with a combined street value of about $250,000.

Ammunition was allegedly found during the raids of homes. Picture: NSW Police

Four firearms were allegedly found.

Six people – five men and a woman – were arrested during the operation and taken to Bankstown police station.

A 27-year-old Greenacre man, Jaafar El-Masri — who is the alleged director of the syndicate — was charged with 32 drug- and firearm-related offences including; supply prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, drive vehicle illicit drug present in blood, possess more than 3 unregistered firearms (1 is prohibited/pistol), possess unauthorised pistol, possess unauthorised firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, not police officer/special constable wear police uniform and knowingly direct activities of criminal group.

Jaafar El-Masri is taken to Bankstown police station. Picture: NSW Police

A 39-year-old Carramar man, Youssef Berro, was charged with 19 offences including; four counts of possess unauthorised pistol, five counts of not keep firearm safely – pistol, two counts of possess prohibited drug, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, deemed supply prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime and two counts of goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle).

Some of the cash cops allegedly recovered after searching the southwest Sydney properties. Picture: NSW Police

A 41-year-old Bankstown man, Danny Chami, was charged with 12 offences including; three counts of supply prohibited drug, four counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, possess prohibited drug, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, drive motor vehicle while licence suspended and deal with property proceeds of crime.

A 24-year-old Bankstown woman, Donya El-Ahmad, was charged with 10 offences including; participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, six counts of supply prohibited drug, two counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.

They were refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Friday.

Donya El-Ahmad was taken to Bankstown police station after being arrested at French Ave, Bankstown. Picture: NSW Police

Mr Chami, Ms El-Ahmad and Mr Berro were granted release.

Mr El-Masri’s lawyer Hisham Karnib did not apply for bail for his client, who is the alleged director of the syndicate, with whom his partner Ms El-Ahmad allegedly belonged. The mother was released on bail.

Mr Chami’s lawyer Elie Rahme told the court his client, who appeared via video link, made admissions to his offences and did not resist police during his arrest, which came as a “shock to the family”.

“It shows he’s not a hardened criminal,’’ Mr Rahme said.

“He immediately gave himself up. He wasn’t proud of what he’s done. He’s spent a night in custody and he’s absolutely frightened to be in custody.’’

Danny Chami was granted bail.

The court heard his alleged role was a lower end of offences and that he was left unemployed after spending a week in hospital after contracting Covid.

Mr Berro’s solicitor Louise Coorey told the court her client would plead not guilty to the charges. The court heard the father was also a business owner when referring to cash seized and that the scales police allegedly found were for his personal use.

He was released with $20,000 surety and the matter was adjourned to January 19 while the other matters were adjourned to February.

Two other men were also charged as part of the investigation. A 28-year-old Greenacre man was charged with goods suspected stolen in/on premises (not motor vehicle) and two counts of possess prohibited drug.

A 19-year-old Greenacre man was charged with two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance.

The pair were granted strict conditional bail and are due to appear at Bankstown Local Court on February 3.

Investigations under Strike Force Daniel continue.