Condell Park: Third man charged over alleged illicit tobacco theft

Detectives have charged a third man over an alleged illicit tobacco theft, during which one man had his toe partially severed, in Sydney’s southwest.

Vans that were allegedly involved in the tobacco theft. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Detectives have charged a third man over an alleged illicit tobacco theft, during which one man had his toe partially severed, in Sydney’s southwest.

Strike Force detectives arrested a 28-year-old man at Merrylands Police Station on Thursday.

The man was charged with being an accessory before the fact for the offences of take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasioning actual bodily harm and aggravated break and enter with intent as well as knowingly direct activities of criminal group and breach of bail.

The Condell Park warehouse where an alleged kidnapping and assault over illegal tobacco took place. Picture: Jeremy Piper

He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Friday.

Police will allege in court the man co-ordinated the attempted large-scale illicit tobacco theft.

It comes a month after officers were called to a business complex in Allingham St, Condell Park following reports of an alleged break and enter at about 10.45pm on Saturday, January 4.

On arrival police arrested two men, aged 24 and 26, attempting to run from the scene. They were charged and remain before the courts.

Condell Park warehouse were an alleged kidnapping and assault over illegal tobacco took place. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The Daily Telegraph can reveal police allege that in the hour-and-a-half before, the two men arrested and six other people – who are currently the subject of a major manhunt – had targeted a rival tobacco syndicate’s warehouse and attempted to steal their goods, only to set off an alarm.

Officers conducted a search of a unit at the location and located three men, aged 30, 32 and 38, with their arms and legs bound.

The 38-year-old man suffered significant facial injuries and a partially severed toe.

He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital in a serious condition.

The other men were treated for minor injuries.

A crime scene was established and local police commenced an investigation before the matter was referred to the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad.