Counter terror cops nab alleged gun runner with ties to extremist group Islamic State
Police will lay 100 charges after busting a gun supply network in Sydney’s west. The alleged leader is an Islamic State-linked gun runner who was nabbed in the middle of selling an assault rifle this morning.
The Express
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Police believe they have smashed a Sydney gun supply network led by a man they say had an “extremist ideology” and links to the Islamic State.
Three men are expected to be charged with more than 100 offences after an investigation by a number of law enforcement agencies into the alleged extremist’s supply of 14 firearms in the city’s south west.
Counter terrorism cops from the NSW Police and the AFP have conducted a number of raids this morning after being tipped off earlier this year the man with an “extremist ideology” had access to a series of illegal guns.
Police say the man with links to ISIS was arrested attempting to sell military style weapons in Bankstown.
It will be alleged an MK-15 assault rifle and two 9mm pistols were about to be sold by the man before cops swooped in.
The three men – 26, 29 and 30 – have all been taken to police stations this morning after five search warrants were executed.
It will be alleged the man was looking to provide funds to the Islamic State.
“The investigation began when we became aware of person supplying firearms who had extremist sympathies connected and aligned to the Islamic State ideology,” AFP Assistant Commissioner Scott Lee said.
The charges mark the end of a probe codenamed Operation Bouwel involving multiple organisations including the NSW Crime Commission and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
Police said the weapons were worth a significant sum, however, there was no indication of a terrorist attack in the works.
“It’s fair to say the sale of these firearms involves the reaping of hundreds of thousands of Australian dollars back to those involved,“ NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton said.
“It’s a serious business there’s a lot of money involved and where that money ultimately gets spent and redistributed is also of concern to us.
“It has the potential to finance other criminal activities.”
The guns, which are believed to be older weapons, will be tested to determine if they have been involved in any outstanding crimes and whether they were bought after the Port Arthur buy-back or imported into Australia.
The men are expected to be charged and front court next week.
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