NSW Police claim to have crippled criminal gangs amid bloodshed

NSW Police have seized guns and drugs worth millions of dollars in a major crackdown on street gangs involved in a bloody war.

NSW Police say they have crippled criminal networks across Sydney after a two-day operation aimed at quelling the violence between the warring Hamzy and Alameddine gangs.

More than 100 people were arrested and charged, with 18 firearms, $100,000 in cash and drug worth millions of dollars seized as part of the two-day operation.

The high-visibility Operation Hawk was launched by NSW Police on Thursday with the intention to “get in the face of these people” and “remind them that this city is not their place”.

Police carried out 66 warrants and firearms prohibitions orders aimed at cracking down on street-level operations.

They arrested and charged 115 people with 292 offences.

Police speak to a man as part of Operation Hawk. Picture: NSW Police.

Police raid a property as part of Operation Hawk. Picture: NSW Police.

Police also completed more than 450 bail compliance checks and almost 200 business inspections.

State Crime Commander Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said criminal networks had been left “reeling”.

“We have heavily compromised organised crime networks already reeling from recent pressure by police,” Assistant Commissioner Smith said.

“In recent weeks we have taken out the controllers and co-ordinators of various criminal syndicates and there’s more to come – but Hawk was about the henchmen.

“This was about targeting the blind followers of these groups – people with a complete disregard for the safety of the community and those who think they may be able to fill the void and take over.”

Searches were carried out by members of NSW Police’s anti-bikie unit Raptor Squad and an additional 500 officers.

A rifle seized by officers during Operation Hawk. Picture: NSW Police.

Officers allegedly seized $25,000 from a Penshurst address as part of Operation Hawk. Picture: NSW Police.

Methylamphetamine seized by officers at a Bondi address as part of Operation Hawk. Picture: NSW Police.

Police alleged that at the search of a Penshurst address on Thursday morning they found firearms, a crossbow, $25,000 in cash and methylamphetamine.

A 55-year-old man was arrested and charged with five counts of possessing a prohibited weapon without permit as well as drug offences and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

He appeared at Sutherland Local Court on Friday when he was refused bail

Officers were also involved in the pursuit of two men who allegedly fled after being stopped as they unloaded a package at Ocean St, Bondi on Thursday.

Police alleged one fled on foot while the other tried to make his getaway in a car.

Police raided two Bondi addresses, seizing luxury watches and clothes, cash and methylamphetamine worth an estimated almost $4 million.

Police have cracked down on the Hamzy and Alameddine gangs in the wake of a number of murders.

Ibrahem Hamze (right) was last week extradited from Queensland. Picture: NCA NewsWire.

Prominent underworld figure Ibrahem Hamze was last week extradited from Queensland charged with a public shooting outside a Prospect gym which targeted an Alameddine associate.

He and two of his cousins – Tareek and Haissam Hamzy – were also charged over an alleged kidnapping in Merrylands last September.

Hamze fled interstate following the murder of his cousin Ghassan Amoun earlier in the month.

Police in September stopped what they believed was an attempt to murder Hamze.

It came after his brother Bilal Hamze and cousin Mejid Hamze were both murdered.

Originally published as NSW Police claim to have crippled criminal gangs amid bloodshed