Riley Stewart, Harry Ly, Arthur Astorino charged after gun, cash found dumped near Taylor St, Greystanes
Four men in an alleged syndicate were charged more than a week after a gun, ammunition and cash were found dumped in Sydney’s west. Watch footage of their arrests.
Police & Courts
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Detectives have charged four men allegedly in a syndicate after ammunition, cash and a firearm – which police believed to be dumped so it could be picked up – were found in bushland at Greystanes last week.
About 8pm on Tuesday January 16, Cumberland police were called to bushland off Taylor St in Greystanes after members of the public found a bag containing a firearm, ammunition and cash.
After inquiries and a public appeal for information, Strike Force Braim detectives and the Raptor Squad searched a property at Greystanes where they arrested a 19-year-old man.
During a search of the property, police allegedly seized electronics, balaclavas, NSW registration plates, a disassembled gel-blaster, prohibited drugs, $2350 and a Volkswagen Polo.
The man was taken to Granville police station where he was charged with possessing unauthorised prohibited firearm, possessing or using a prohibited weapon without permit, and attempt to supply unregistered firearm-prohibited firearm.
He appeared before Parramatta Local Court the same day, where he was granted conditional bail to reappear in the same court on February 8.
On Thursday detectives arrested 19-year-old Arthur Astorino at Concord West.
He was taken to Burwood police station where he was charged with seven offences, including three counts of supplying unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm, two counts of acquiring etc firearm – subject to prohibition order, unlawfully sell firearms three times or more within 12 months, and participating in a criminal group.
The man was refused bail at Burwood Court on Thursday and the matter was adjourned to March 20.
Simultaneously, detectives also arrested a 19-year-old man, Harry Ly, at Cabramatta.
He was taken to Fairfield police station where he was charged with supplying an unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm, supplying unregistered firearm-prohibited firearm, and participating in a criminal group.
Ly was refused bail to appear in Fairfield Court on Thursday. No bail application was made in court and the matter will next be heard at the same court on February 14.
At 10am on Thursday, strike force detectives attended an address at Greystanes where they arrested a 20-year-old Riley Stewart.
He was taken to Granville police station, where he was charged with supplying unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm, supplying an unregistered firearm-prohibited firearm and participating in a criminal group.
The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court where his lawyer made an application for bail that was refused.
The court heard he was on two intensive correction orders for supplying drugs and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
His two brothers supported him in the court, which heard there was CCTV evidence and surveillance of Stewart, though his lawyer Elie Srour said the evidence was not strong enough.
During the searches of the properties – and an additional search warrant at Chipping Norton – police allegedly seized $12,350 in cash, electronics, prohibited drugs and a safe.
Police will allege in court the men were involved in a criminal syndicate supplying unlawful firearms, and the gun found in Greystanes was left with intent to be picked up by a buyer.
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