Strike Force Raptor officers arrest rapper Jay Leks on drugs and firearms charges

Rapper Jay Lekz has been arrested over a raid by Raptor Squad officers six months ago that turned up semi-automatic weapons, ammunition and cocaine.

Raptor Squad arrest a Birrong man following an early morning raid on Friday. Picture: NSW Police

Rapper Jay Lekz has been arrested over a raid by Raptor Squad officers six months ago that turned up semi-automatic weapons, ammunition and cocaine.

Detectives from Strike Force Allister, investigating the sale of firearms and drugs by an inner west street gang, executed a search warrant at a home on Putland St, St Marys, in December last year and located a rifle, a pistol, two prohibited loaded magazines and additional ammunition.

The items, along with cocaine, six mobile phones and clothing, were seized for forensic examination.

Early on Friday morning strike force investigators, with the assistance of specialist resources, executed a search warrant at a home on Neutral Ave, Birrong. During that search, a mobile phone was seized for examination.

James Nikua, who goes by the rap name Jay Lekz, was arrested at a second home nearby and taken to Bankstown Police Station.

Kolo Sua (left) and District 21 rapper Jay Lekz in 2020. Picture: Angelo Velardo

The 27-year-old was charged with firearm and drug offences, including possessing an unregistered firearm and pistol, possessing ammunition, and supply of a prohibited drug in indictable quantity.

He was granted bail when he appeared at Bankstown Local Court on Friday, on the condition he report daily to police and an acceptable person deposits $30,000 as security.

Police arrest a man after raiding a home at Birrong on Friday. Picture: NW Police

One of the firearms seized during the ongoing raids. Picture: NSW Police

Jay Lekz created the 21 District group in 2019, essentially amalgamating the inner west affiliates of Granville, Auburn, Merrylands and Guildford under the one banner.

He had caught the attention of police with his rap lyrics, but the frontman makes no apologies for his commentary on the ongoing gang wars.

Their music has received airplay on Triple J and in popular footwear stores, and has generated some high-profile fans among NRL stars.

In 2021, he hit out at the approach of NSW Police in shutting down all live shows of both 21 District and OneFour, as well as banning the wearing of the groups’ merchandise — a strategy likened to the banning of bikie “colours”.

“I think it’s overkill with what the cops are doing,” Lekz told The Daily Telegraph in 2021.

“There are a lot of kids now who are going to be passionate about the area of Western Sydney and focusing their energy into music because of the platform we’ve created.”

Lekz says the rivalry between the groups was well and truly active by the time he was on the scene and admits it is something that will never die.

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