Police raids lead to the arrest of senior Bandido and Comanchero members

A top-ranking Comanchero bikie has been arrested in a NSW Police crackdown on organised crime after a gangland figure was killed.

Two senior bikies will face court after police launched a crackdown on organised criminal networks following a gangland shooting in Greenacre.

Tarek Zahed, the national sergeant-at-arms for the Comanchero bikie gang, was arrested by police after allegedly contravening a serious crime prevention order.

Around 10am on Friday, the 41-year-old was charged with failing to notify police that he was moving residence while visiting NSW.

High-ranking Comanchero bikie Tarek Zahed has been arrested following a police crackdown on organised crime networks in NSW. Picture: Daily Telegraph

Mr Zahed is due to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on June 22.

Mahmoud Ahmad – a notorious gangster – died in a barrage of gunfire in the Sydney suburb of Greenacre on Wednesday night.

Police Minister Paul Toole said Ahmad’s death strengthened authorities’ resolve to arrest and charge people.

“The message is simple: if you’re even remotely associated with organised crime, police are watching, they have leads, and they will act,” Mr Toole said.

Tarek Zahed, left, has been charged over alleged breaches of a serious crime prevention order. Picture: Daily Telegraph

A 50-year-old member of the Bandidos bikie gang was also arrested on Thursday.

He was taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with possession or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and firearm found at premises-subject to prohibition order.

He was refused bail and is due to appear in court on Thursday.

It is not suggested either man is connceted to Ahamd’s alleged murder.

State Crime Command Director Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett said huge amounts of intelligence were gathered by police in the days leading up to and following Ahmad’s death.

“But preventing these types of events is an imperfect science – and a challenging one at that,” he said.

“Ahmad was cautioned about the imminent threat to his life on multiple occasions but chose to ignore those warnings, with fatal consequences.”

Chief Superintendent Bennett said a large number of officers have been deployed to conduct overt and covert activities to assist Homicide detectives in the murder investigation and stop any further violence.

“This sort of barbarity won’t be tolerated, and I just want to assure everyone that stopping these murders and holding those responsible to account is of the highest importance to police,” he said.

Police seized designer watches and thousands of dollars in cash during raids of bikie residences across Sydney. Picture: NSW Police

Raptor Squad officers conducted two successful raids of properties in Sydney’s south on Thursday.

One arrest was made and thousands of dollars in cash, designer jewellery and illicit drugs were seized.

Officers seized 18 grams of cocaine, $24,050 in cash, a prohibited pistol, a prohibited weapon and cannabis from two separate units.

On Friday, the Organised Crime Squad conducted raids at addresses in Yagoona, Bankstown, Horningsea Park, and Lane Cove West.

During these searches police seized $40,000 cash, designer watches, electronic devices, and prohibited drugs including cocaine, cannabis, and steroids.

Strike Force Hawk was commissioned in October 2021 to crackdown on organised crime across the state.

More than 800 charges have been brought against around 250 people and almost 70 firearms have been seized.