David Shen, Lien Ngoc: Cherrybrook couple in alleged criminal syndicate

A married couple accused of running an alleged gun and drug syndicate have faced court, with it being alleged the wife sold firearms in a public park.

An elderly husband and his wife who are accused of running an alleged gun and drug syndicate which supplied $200,000 worth of illegal firearms have faced court.

David Shen, 77, and his wife Lien Ngoc, 41, faced Hornsby Local Court on Friday charged with a combined 63 drug and gun offence charges between them.

It comes after investigators from the state’s drug and firearms squad swooped on the Cherrybrook couple on Thursday over their alleged involvement in a syndicate that sold illegal firearms across Sydney.

Lien Ngoc, 41, faced Hornsby Local Court on Friday. Picture: NSW Police

Police allege 14 handguns were seized with an estimated street value of $200,000.

Police allege the same criminal group is allegedly linked to a drug laboratory that was raided in Camperdown last April where almost $2 million of ice was allegedly seized.

In court, Ngoc donned a long fawn-coloured fur coat and fixed her hair as she sat in the dock on Friday.

She was charged with 45 firearm-related offences including unlawfully obtaining and supplying a range of illegal weapons including .38 calibre Russian 1895 revolvers, Uberti .357, Browning .22lr Buck Mark pistols, from last May to August in Burwood park.

Ngoc is unemployed yet receives a disability pension, according to police documents.

One of the 14 firearms allegedly seized. Picture: NSW Police

In police documents on why she was refused bail police allege Ngoc sold the firearms in a public park near a children’s play area.

“The seriousness of the offences are exacerbated by the fact that the accused was allegedly selling prohibited firearms for profit,” police documents allege.

“The safety to the general public was not considered by the accused. The sale of firearms was conducted in a public place - a park adjacent to a children’s playground.”

It further states that surveillance footage and audio from listening devices will be used in the prosecution’s case.

Her de facto husband Shen wore tinted glasses and a black North Face puffer jacket as he sat quietly beside her.

One of the 14 firearms allegedly seized. Picture: NSW Police

Shen faces 18 charges including supplying illegal pistols and taking part in the manufacture of a large commercial quantity of ice in Camperdown where police alleged 1.549kg of methylamphetamine was found.

He was also charged with knowingly directing a criminal group.

In court, the couple’s lawyer Paul McGirr indicated that both Shen and Ngoc will be pleading not guilty to the charges.

The police prosecutor said the matter was being referred to the DPP and sought an eight-week adjournment.

Bail was not applied for and formally refused for the duo.

Shen and Ngoc, who are remanded in custody, will return to Burwood Local Court on June 9.

A 43-year-old co-accused from Guildford West was also arrested and is before the courts.

Investigations are continuing.