NSW Police smash alleged western Sydney gun, drugs syndicate
Police have swooped on an alleged western Sydney drug ring, charging three men as they investigate an illicit supply of prohibited drugs and firearms.
Police & Courts
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Three men will face court after being charged with a series of drug and firearm offences following a lengthy police investigation into alleged illicit supply.
In April this year, investigators from Wetherill Park Region Enforcement Squad (RES) launched an investigation into the supply of illicit firearms and prohibited drugs across southwest Sydney.
Since then, police had uncovered and seized 15 guns, including a prohibited 9mm submachine pistol, an SKS semiautomatic machine rifle, pump-action shotguns, various rifles and handguns.
They also confiscated about 700 rounds of various calibre ammunition.
The firearms have since undergone forensic and ballistic analysis which has suggested the firearms were either stolen, manufactured without registration, illegally imported or have unknown origins.
About 6am on Monday, the RES officers executed five search warrants across Sydney in properties located in Chester Hill, Fairfield East, Guildford, and Carlingford.
They were assisted by the Bankstown RES, South West Metropolitan Region Operations Support Group (OSG) and the Raptor Squad.
During the searches, police seized more than $10,000 cash and one litre of clear liquid, which was suspected to be gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL) – a colourless liquid often used to produce a sedative drug called GHB.
Officers also found one kilogram of benzocaine, 180g of cocaine, cannabis, a locked safe, a drug ledger, multiple mobile phones and two electronic control devices.
Furthermore, they located and seized a bunch of weapons including a prohibited slingshot, knuckle dusters and a machete along with fireworks, three vehicles and other items relevant to the investigation.
Throughout the investigation, police have seized 760g cocaine altogether, which has an estimated potential street value of more than $300,000.
Three men were arrested during the operation and taken to Cabramatta Police Station where they were charged with a number of offences amounting to 105 in total.
Police will allege in court that the group were facilitating the illicit acquisition and on-supply of firearms.
Further, it’s alleged the group was involved in the ongoing supply of prohibited drugs.
They have all been refused bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court on Tuesday.
A 35-year-old Horningsea Park man was issued a Court Attendance Notice last Thursday for possessing a prohibited drug and is due to appear at Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday, February 15 next year.
Investigations are continuing and the NSW Crime Commission is also assisting police with their investigation.
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