Western Sydney drill group members and associates charged over firearm, drug probe

Two western Sydney drill group members accused of running drugs and firearms in recent months were forbidden from talking while they were both on bail over a vicious alleged kidnapping.

Two western Sydney drill group members accused of running illegal firearms and drugs in recent months were on bail over what has been described as one of the city’s worst ever gangland kidnappings.

Viliame Eteaki and Sione Maile were charged by NSW Police’s Raptor Squad on Wednesday after a months-long investigation into allegations Section60 gang members and associates were supplying guns, cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine in Sydney’s west.

At the time, the pair were on strict NSW Supreme Court bail preventing them from talking to each other over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of three people who were viciously tortured and their fingers and toes amputated over an alleged $25m cocaine theft.

Eteaki and Maile are both charged with taking and detaining someone to gain an advantage, possessing a prohibited firearm and knowingly dealing with crime proceeds over the appalling alleged incident, for which they will next face court on April 16.

Police will allege Eteaki, 25, was the syndicate’s ringleader, charging him with knowingly directing a criminal group after police earlier seized five firearms and more than 800g of methamphetamine as part of their investigations.

Viliami Eteaki (above) and Sione Maile were charged by NSW Police’s Raptor Squad on Wednesday after a months-long investigation.

Nine people were ultimately arrested in the wake of 11 raids across Sydney’s west, with Section60 understood to be a drill rap group with an affiliated gang sometimes associated with other Mt Druitt organised crime outfits.

The Daily Telegraph does not suggest the Section60 rappers themselves are gang members or in any way involved with the Raptor Squad investigation.

Police will allege Eteaki, 25, was the syndicate’s ringleader. Picture: NSW Police

“During the execution of the warrants, police located and seized a further six firearms, several hundred rounds of ammunition, $43,000 in cash, numerous DECCDs, a taser, 3kg of cocaine, 2.6kg of methylamphetamine, 644 grams of cannabis, and 126 grams of MDMA,” a NSW Police statement read.

Eteaki, Sione Maile, 27 and co-accused Fisiinaua “Noah” Maile, 39, were the only group members to seek bail at Penrith Local Court on Wednesday, represented by Stavros Mav of high profile criminal law firm Dib and Associates.

The court heard the younger Maile denies the allegations against him, but acknowledged breaching bail by living at an address other than the one permitted under his Supreme Court bail.

Police will allege a significant amount of cocaine and marijuana, cash and identification in Sione Maile’s name was found in his bedroom, for which he was charged with four drug supply and possession-related offences and recklessly dealing with crime proceeds.

A number of weapons were seized. Picture: NSW Police

As well as the weapons, hundreds of rounds of ammunition were seized. Picture: NSW Police

The court also heard no items were found at Eteaki’s South Penrith home, and that he denies the allegations against him after being charged with 23 offences relating to drug and firearm supply as well as knowingly directing a criminal group.

Mr Mav said Eteaki had spent the last year abiding by his Supreme Court bail conditions.

The solicitor also described Noah Maile as an “active father” who had not been residing in a granny flat where a significant amount of drugs and firearms were found, but rather the house attached to it.

He was charged with prohibited drug supply, acquiring a firearm while subject to a prohibition order, possessing an unregistered firearm, and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction after he was allegedly unable to unlock what he said was his partner’s phone.

The trio were all denied bail, and will next face Penrith Local Court on May 30 for a brief status mention alongside the other six people charged who are yet to apply for bail.

Another gun from the police haul. Picture: NSW Police

Colyton men Benedix Faner-Villegas, 25, and Ethan Chatto, 30, were also charged and subsequently remanded in custody.

Chatto was charged with 15 offences relating to the supply and possession of drugs and firearms, as well as participating in a criminal group, while Faner-Villegas was charged with supplying a prohibited firearm to an unauthorised person, giving ammunition to an unauthorised person and participating in a criminal group.

Georgia Valesini, 22, was arrested in Oxley Park and charged with large commercial drug supply, knowingly dealing with crime proceeds and contributing to a criminal group, and is expected to apply for bail on Thursday.

Eteaki being arrested in South Penrith. Picture: NSW Police

Multiple quantities of drugs were seized by police. Picture: NSW Police

Jake Soesa, 27, was also arrested in Oxley Park and charged with eight drug supply offences, possessing ammunition, dealing with property crime proceeds, and contributing to a criminal group.

Rooty Hill’s Helenia Cowan was charged with two counts of prohibited drug supply, two counts of prohibited drug possession, two counts of supplying a firearm to an unauthorised person, two counts of supplying ammunition, and participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.

She made no application for bail before Mt Druitt Local Court, with police documents revealing the supply charges pertain to methamphetamine, cocaine, and cannabis.

Paul Taakimoeaka was arrested in Blackett and charged with seven counts of prohibited drug supply, two counts of large commercial drug supply, two counts of supplying a prohibited firearm to an unauthorised person, two counts of supplying ammunition, two counts of possessing ammunition, possessing an unauthorised firearm, and participating in a criminal group.

He also made no application for bail at Mt Druitt Local Court, with police documents revealing his supply charges pertain to methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA.

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