Two men charged over supplying hundreds of prohibited knives in Haymarket

Police have charged two men after more than 300 prohibited weapons including flick and butterfly knives were uncovered during a crackdown in Sydney. 

Police have charged two men after more than 300 prohibited weapons including flick and butterfly knives were uncovered during a crackdown in Sydney. 

Detectives launched Strike Force Dudi to investigate an affray involving a group of men on Elizabeth Street in Waterloo in March. 

A number of people have since been charged and remain before the courts.

Police launched the operation under Strike Force Dudi. Picture: NSW Police

More than 300 prohibited weapons were seized during the operation. Picture: NSW Police

Officers investigating the brawl identified the illegal weapons being sold from a business at Haymarket, prompting them to search several properties across Sydney. 

Police seized in excess of 300 weapons during the raids at businesses on Hay Street in Haymarket, and homes in Amos Street in Westmead and Shepherd Street in Cherrybrook.

Officers uncovered flick knives, sheath knives, butterfly knives, Zombie knives, push daggers and concealed blades. Picture: NSW Police

Two men were arrested in Haymarket. Picture: NSW Police

Among the most alarming finds from officers were flick knives, sheath knives, butterfly knives, Zombie knives, push daggers and concealed blades.

Speaking to media on Friday afternoon, A/Superintendent Phil Hallinan said the strike force was established after an incident in Zetland back in March, which involved a number of youths carrying weapons.

These weapons included “machetes and large axes”.

During this investigation, police identified the weapons were allegedly sourced from two stalls in Haymarket.

It’s understood police obtained evidence that the two stalls were “unlawfully supplying knives to members of the community”.

“We obtained evidence that they within a 12 month period supplied weapons without permits,” Supt. Hallinan said.

“I can advise that neither person had a permit to supply those weapons.”

The pair were hit with several charges including selling prohibited weapons to person without permit. Picture: NSW Police

Both me were refused to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday. Picture: NSW Police

NSW Police confirmed one of the stalls had been operating in popular market place, Paddy’s Market for over a decade.

“The stall is entitled to supply certain types of knives, the concern with this one is they can’t supply prohibited weapons,” Supt. Hallinan said.

“We will be working with the owners of the land down there to make sure those operators do not come back.”

Police also confirmed that the two men were not known to each other.

Two men – aged 45 and 60 – were arrested in Haymarket and taken to Day Street Police Station where they were each charged with:

- Possess or use prohibited weapon without permit

- Sell prohibited weapon to person without permit

- Dealer buy/sell/manufacture prohibited weapon without permit

- Buy prohibited weapon when not authorised to possess it

- Contravene section 23A on 3 or more separate occasions

- Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.

Both men were bail refused to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday. 

Inquiries under Strike Force Dudi are ongoing.

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