‘Total disregard for public safety’: Gang for hire shut down in major crackdown

A “freelance gang” has been shut down after allegedly carrying out multiple shootings, kidnappings and home invasions, police say.

A group of men have been charged over their alleged roles in a “freelance gang” that committed a string of violent crimes, including multiple shootings and kidnappings.

NSW police launched a strike force in July to investigate organised criminal acts allegedly carried out by a group hired by organised crime networks in south western Sydney.

Shootings, home invasions, kidnappings and drug supply crimes were allegedly carried out by the group.

Police have seized ketamine, electronic devices, knives, weapons, cash, and stolen items in a search warrant blitz across Fairfield West, Sadlier, Lakemba, Mt Druitt and St Clair about 6am on Wednesday.

Two 20-year-old men from Fairfield West and Mt Druitt and an 18-year-old man from Lakemba were arrested on Wednesday.

NSW Commander of Criminal Groups Squad Detective Superintendent Jason Box said alleged offences include a public place shooting in Austral on July 25 and a kidnapping in relation to a home invasion at Edmondson Park on August 14.

“We believe there’s several more (incidents) that they’ve been involved in, that they’ve been hired or utilised to conduct acts. I’m not in a position to elaborate on those at this stage,” Superintendent Box said.

“Our interaction yesterday with these offenders definitely prevented further serious offences being committed.”

Police have arrested the alleged leader of the gang. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

He added the acts were “quite violent” with a “total disregard for public safety”.

“The incident out at Austral was at least nine shots fired... There was total disregard for public safety,” he said.

“They were quite happy to act on the instructions of others to commit these serious offences, so I think it has taken a very dangerous criminal element off the streets.

The Fairfield West man is the alleged leader of the gang, with detectives alleging he accepted tasks from organised crime networks.

He was charged with special aggravated break and enter with intent to commit serious indictable offence armed with a dangerous weapon, kidnap in company with intent to commit serious indictable offence occasion actual bodily harm, and knowingly direct activities of a criminal group and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

The Lakemba man was also charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, conceal serious indictable offence, deal with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000, supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug, while the Mt Druitt man was charged with conceal serious indictable offence and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

The three men were refused bail on Wednesday and appeared at the Fairfield Local Court, Bankstown Local Court, and Mt Druitt Local Court.

Superintendent Box said the dismantling of the group is a “major blow to organised crime” and a “relief for the people of south west Sydney”.

“No one should think they can commit these serious offences, such as shooting and kidnapping and avoid any consequences for their actions,” he said.

“We will continue to target these gangs, syndicates and groups and hold them accountable for these dangerous violent acts.”

Investigations remain ongoing, with police urging anyone with information to come forward.

Originally published as ‘Total disregard for public safety’: Gang for hire shut down in major crackdown