Operation Ironside: Luke Andreou charged after cash, police uniform allegedly found in Horsley home

More than $300,000 cash has allegedly been uncovered hidden around an Illawarra man’s home, after the AFP raided his address as part of a major national crime sting.

Federal police have arrested an Illawarra man as part of a major sting by the nation’s top cops, allegedly finding hundreds of thousands of dollars cash hidden around his home.

In the early hours on Sunday morning, 31-year-old Luke Andreou woke to Australian Federal Police raiding his Horsley home.

Police undertook a thorough search of Mr Andreou’s home, allegedly finding $320,000 cash, as well as replica weapons and a police uniform.

He was arrested on the spot and taken to Lake Illawarra police station, where he was charged with two counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime, possess prohibited drug, not police officer possess/ wear police uniform, two counts of possess unauthorised firearm and handle explosive/ precursor without license.

Luke Andreou, 31, was arrested by the AFP on June 6. Picture: Facebook

He was granted bail at Wollongong Local Court on Monday.

The raid was part of the AFP’s Special Operation Ironside, which has led to the arrest of 224 people on 526 charges in every mainland Australian state, aimed at disrupting organised crime.

More than 150 AFP and NSW police were involved in five raids on Sunday at Mount Keira, Horsley, Shell Cove and Grabben Gullen.

The 31-year-old appeared at Wollongong Local Court from a holding cell at Wollongong Police Station on Monday, where the allegations were disclosed to the court.

The court heard police first searched Mr Andreou’s bedroom, where it is alleged they found steroids, and “several” boxes of fireworks.

In documents tendered to the court, police also allege they found several syringes of Primotest Testosterone in Mr Andreou’s car, which he claimed were for his own personal use.

In a linen cupboard, police allege they uncovered $70,000, while a further $250,000 was found hidden in a black bag and stashed inside another cupboard.

As the search continued, police allege they also found a NSW Police uniform baseball cap and reflective vest, while two bags containing a “considerable amount” of live pistol ammunition was found in a garage wall cavity.

In the documents, police also allege they found a black military-style air gun, which is thought to be a replica of M4 military assault rifle, while an imitation Glock was allegedly also found.

In the documents, Mr Andreou allegedly told police he thought they were “toys”.

During his appearance in court, Mr Andreou’s lawyer Annaliese Ritchie told the court the police uniform was for a costume, and that the allegations were “out of character”, given the fact her client did not have a criminal history.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Rachel Biffin argued against bail, saying the amount of cash allegedly found in his home could make it easy for him to flee. She also said it was “highly concerning” he was found in possession of a police uniform.

Magistrate Gabriel Flemming agreed to grant bail however, imposing strict conditions Mr Andreou, including a night time curfew, restricted access to a mobile phone and computer, and that his partner put up a $10,000 surety.

He will return to court later this month.