NSW Police Operation Foil sees guns, drugs and knives seized, 140 people charged
A NSW Police operation targeting knife crime and teenage street gangs also saw kilograms of drugs and thousands in cash seized.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A gang of knife-wielding teenagers, an alleged large-scale drug supplier and a man whose car resembled an unmarked police vehicle have been arrested as part of a major statewide blitz on knives and violent offenders.
Hundreds of NSW Police officers hit the streets across the state over the weekend as part of Operation Foil which focuses on targeting violent offenders, particularly teenagers linked to youth gangs and gang culture.
What began in south-west Sydney a number of years ago has become a statewide operation because of its significant success, with the weekend’s operation yielding more than 50 knives, numerous firearms and leading to more than 140 people being charged.
NSW Police South West Metropolitan Region Commander, Stuart Smith, said Operation Foil had proven to be successful because it targets known offenders and violence hotspots.
“We have well-resourced police using intel to identify people and areas of concern related to knife crime with a view to suppress any further violence or related criminal activity,” Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
“That’s the overt, high-visibility side of things; bail enforcement, suspect targeting – meanwhile, Youth Command is engaging with young persons who have been deemed ‘at risk’ of committing violent crime.
“The use of knives, particularly by young males, is a serious concern for police, and further operations are planned to reduce their use and possession in public places.”
Among the weekend’s biggest arrests were a group of teenagers who it will be alleged held a knife to a 16-year-old at a shopping centre in Penrith and demanded money. They were apprehended a short time later at Penrith train station and charged with robbery in company.
On Thursday night police stopped a black Jeep Cherokee on Moverley Rd at South Coogee and spoke to the driver of the car, who is subject to a weapons prohibition order (WPO).
During a search of his car they allegedly found a 1.176kg block of methamphetamine, as well as a stun gun, cash and 30ml of the drug Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
On Friday night police stopped a grey Hyundai sonata – which is a similar model to many police vehicles.
Inside they allegedly found more than $35,000 cash, a knife, methylamphetamine, a taser, blue and red lights and the ability to hide the car’s number plate – so it can appear as an unmarked police car.
Police Minister Paul Toole said Operation Foil was a “difference making” exercise by NSW Police.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets - and those that threaten that will face the consequences,” Mr Toole said.
“Knife crime can change someone’s life in an instant, whether it’s causing injury or death to innocent people, or for offenders, ending up before the courts.
“The officers involved in Operation FOIL have done an incredible job engaging with the community and helping prevent knife-related crimes to keep us all safe.”
TEEN CHARGED AFTER SECOND STABBED IN CHEST IN THIRD KNIFE ATTACK IN 24 HOURS
The police operation comes after a teenager was stabbed in the chest at a western Sydney sports ground. It was the third stabbing on the city’s streets in 24 hours.
Paramedics were called to Fred Caterson Reserve at Castle Hill about 2.50pm after the 15-year-old was knifed to the left hand-side of his chest.
He was treated at the scene and taken to the Children‘s Hospital at Westmead in a stable condition.
A crime scene was established and an investigation launched, before at 8am on November 23,
detectives executed a search warrant at a home at Parklea.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested and taken to Castle Hill Police Station, where he was charged with wield knife in a public place, custody of knife in public place, affray, and reckless wounding,
He was given conditional bail to appear before a children’s court on December 6.
It came after a chaotic night for police and paramedics in which a man was killed and another injured in separate knife attacks.
The first incident saw a 25-year-old man present to Campbelltown Hospital just after 9pm on Saturday with a stab wound, but he could not be saved.
The Daily Telegraph understands the man arrived at the hospital by car, where he was thrown out of the vehicle before the driver sped off.
NSW Police are seeking to speak with the driver of the car and have now launched an investigation, with assistance from the Homicide Squad.
Just a few hours later, early on Sunday morning, police were called to a unit on Torton Pl at Penrith after receiving reports of people fighting.
Once there officers found a 40-year-old man suffering stab wounds.
Police were told the man had an argument with two people before he was allegedly struck with a metal pole and a piece of timber with a sharp object, which punctured his chest.
Police allege the fight escalated, and the man was allegedly stabbed in the side and hand with a kitchen knife.
He was treated at the scene before being taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition.
Police later charged a 39-year-old man and 47-year-old woman with reckless wounding.
They were refused bail and will appear in court on Monday.
Do you know more? Email: Joshua.Hanrahan@news.com.au
‘Stop these senseless deaths’: Family’s plea to Sydney prison
The family of an inmate who died on a footpath 24 hours after leaving custody say corporate greed caused his “avoidable and senseless” death, accusing a private prison of “prioritising profits over people”.
Read more
Named: Man accused of parking meter mayhem
Paying for a car space is never fun but one man took things too far after allegedly smashing a number of parking meters in a northern NSW tourist town, causing more than $15,000 damage.
Read more