NSW Raptor squad police seize $500k in cash, guns and drugs in major crime syndicate crackdown

Two men have been arrested – including one in his undies – as the Raptor Squad swooped on an alleged crime syndicate in raids across Sydney seizing guns, drugs and half a million dollars in cash.

Police have seized half a million dollars in cash, multiple guns and prohibited drugs during a major crackdown across Sydney.

Two men have subsequently been charged by Raptor Squad officers for their alleged involvement in a criminal syndicate, allegedly supplying firearms and drugs.

Strike Force Murraguldrie was established by Raptor Squad in October to investigate the drug supply activities of a 36-year-old man and his associates in the greater Sydney area.

On Wednesday, strike force detectives and riot squad officers executed six search warrants in Liverpool, Maroubra, Eastlakes and Rhodes just after 6am on Wednesday.

A number of weapons were found during the raids. Picture: NSW Police

A pistol seized by officers. Picture: NSW Police

The men will appear in court on Thursday. Picture: NSW Police

Jake Joshua Buttigieg was denied bail at Liverpool Local Court on Thursday over 14 charges including 12 drug supply-related offences and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime after police raised a Liverpool property.

Buttegeig’s lawyer, Najee Makhoul, said his client’s matter was a “questionable case” as the police fact sheet had “issues” in respect to who had possession or control of various items, including drugs uncovered at the premises.

Mr Makhoul said the facts sheet also alleged a set of keys were found at a premises in Bigge St, Liverpool which granted access to another property where drugs were found.

“But later [in the facts sheet] says they [the keys] were found in possession of my client. This was not corrected, they were found in the premises, not on Mr Buttigieg,” Mr Markoul said.

He said his client had strong community ties and his family members - who gathered in the courtroom - agreed to a combined $100,000 surety for his release.

Illicit drugs. Picture: NSW Police

Cash located during the raids. Picture: NSW Police

He argued his client relapsed into drug use after a “significant” assault in 2022 which led to his foot being fractured and he resorted to drugs as a “coping mechanism”.

Magistrate Gareth Christofi told the prosecution it was “hard to say its a strong case” based on the current facts presented as they “don’t refer to the evidence which establishes him [Buttegeig] allegedly conveying these drugs”.

“One assumes he was on surveillance [by police]… but it would be more helpful if they said there had been electronic or physical surveillance,” he said.

The prosecution argued the strength of the prosecution’s case “could become stronger” as the investigation was still ongoing and jail time was “inevitable” if Buttegig was convicted.

Court documents state between February 28 and March 20 at Liverpool, Buttegig supplied 475.9g of methamphetamine.

Magistrate Christofi, who read from the facts stated Buttegig “physically supplied” meth in exchange for $25,000 on February 28 at Liverpool.

One of the guns allegedly seized by NSW Police.

Police swept the man's home. Picture: NSW Police

A man was arrested in Eastlakes. Picture: NSW Police

Police allege the men were involved in a criminal syndicate. Picture: NSW Police

Buttegig also supplied $38,000 worth of meth to a “known person” to police on March 20th, he said.

He said during a search warrant on April 17, police found a counting machine, $500,000 and clothing worn by Buttegig during the drug supply transactions and keys to a Bigge St property.

“At the Bigge St address police seized lab equipment, glassware and chemicals commonly alleged to be used in manufacturing prohibited drugs” Mr Christofi said.

Raptor squad officers raiding a property. Picture: NSW Police

Magistate Christofi said “despite reservations” Buttegig posed an “unacceptable risk” as he was involved in a “very significant way with a drug operation” and denied him bail.

A second person, Oscar Santa Ana was taken to Mascot Police Station and charged with 14 offences including seven relating to drug-supply offences and the other seven for firearm supply offences. The man was refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday.

During the searches, police located and seized a rifle, pistol, ammunition, flick knife, prohibited drugs, and electronics relevant to their investigations.

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