Raptor Squad raids in Sydney’s southwest to smash organised crime

Tarek Zahed, national sergeant-at-arms for the Comanchero bikie gang, has been arrested in a NSW Police crackdown in the wake of the gangland murder of Mahmoud “Brownie’ Ahmad.

Tarek Zahed, the national sergeant-at-arms for the Comanchero bikie gang, has been arrested by NSW police as part of a crackdown on crime networks in Sydney in the wake of the gangland murder of Mahmoud “Brownie’ Ahmad.

The 41-year-old was picked up on Friday in southwest Sydney for allegedly breaching Serious Crime Prevention Orders slapped on him by NSW cops, which put restrictions his ownership of mobile phones and banks accounts and also includes reporting to police where he lives.

“About 10am on Friday, 29 April, 2022, officers attached to the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad charged a 41-year-old man with two counts of contravene serious crime prevention order,’’ police said in a statement about Zahed.

“It will be alleged in court the man — who is the National Sergeant at Arms of the Comanchero OMCG — failed to notify police of changes to his living arrangements while visiting NSW.

“He’s due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, 22 June, 2022.’’

Tarek Zahed has been arrested for failing to notify police of a chang in his living arrangements. Picture: Daily Telegraph

Zahed, a close associate of Comanchero boss Mark Buddle, has moved most of his operation to Melbourne recently because of the constant police attention he receives from the Raptor Squad and other NSW police squads.

He is tipped to take over as the next national president of the Comanchero after the arrest current boss, Mick Murray, in Melbourne last week. Murray faces a long stint in jail as he fights murder charges.

Tarek Zahed is not alleged to be connected to the alleged murder of :Brownie” Ahmad but has been caught up in a police crackdown in its wake.

It is not suggested the Zahed is connected to the alleged murder of Mahmoud “Brownie” Ahmad last week.

Zahed’s arrest comes as Ahmad’s slaying strengthens the resolve of police to continue their assault on Sydney’s organised criminal networks, with specialist officers conducting a series of raids across Sydney’s southwest over the past few days.

State Crime Command Dir­ector Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett said the increased operational activity would continue for as long as it was required.

The notorious gangster died in a hail of bullets in Greenacre on Wednesday night, after spending months extorting underworld figures.

Police seized $40,000 in cash, designer watches, electronic devices, and prohibited drugs in raids across Sydney.

“We have a huge amount of intelligence, which was gathered both in the lead-up to and the days following Mahmoud’s murder. We also have large deployments of officers conducting overt and covert activities to assist Homicide Squad detectives with the investigation into his murder and stop any further violence from occurring.

“This sort of barbarity won’t be tolerated.”

On Thursday Raptor Squad officers executed a Firearm Prohibition Order at a unit in Sydney’s south and allegedly found cocaine, cash, cannabis, and a dedicated encrypted communication device (DECD).

A 55-year-old man was arrested and charged with drug offences.

Raptor Squad officers also executed a Firearm Prohibition Order search at a Picnic Point unit and located a prohibited pistol, a prohibited weapon and cannabis. A Bandidos bikie was arrested and charged.

On Friday the Organised Crime Squad searched addres­ses in Yagoona, Bankstown, Horningsea Park, and Lane Cove West.

Police Minister Paul Toole said the NSW government was determined to support police in their work dismantling the operations of criminals.

“The execution of Mahmoud Ahmad at Greenacre was a disgraceful and intolerable act of public violence, but this only strengthens our resolve to ensure police are well equipped to arrest and charge those responsible,” Mr Toole said.

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