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News

Six men arrested in raids across Sydney and South Coast

Six men arrested in raids across Sydney and South Coast

Six men have been charged after prohibited drugs worth $12 million, three firearms and $1.2 million cash were seized, following the resolution of a joint investigation between Southern Region Enforcement Squad and the Raptor Squad.

In September 2019, investigators attached to Southern Region Enforcement Squad (RES) established Strike Force Kniepp to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs and alleged criminal activities in the state’s south.

Early inquiries revealed a criminal syndicate was supplying prohibited drugs – mainly cocaine, MDMA and methylamphetamine (ice) – across Sydney’s south west and eastern beaches, as well as the state’s South Coast.

Subsequently, in February this year, Strike Force Gommera was established by the State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad to investigate the syndicate’s links to Sydney-based outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCG).

Following an extensive joint investigation, a 36-year-old man was arrested by the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) at a carpark at Sandon Point, Bulli, about 11.30am yesterday (Wednesday 28 April 2021).

During a subsequent search of the man’s vehicle, officers seized prohibited drugs, including MDMA, cocaine, and methylamphetamine (ice), with a combined estimated potential street value of $150,000.

The Miranda man – who is a Bandidos OMCG associate – was taken to Wollongong Police Station and charged with 20 offences, including;

•           Supply prohibited drug – large commercial quantity (x4),

•           supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity (x6),

•           supply prohibited drug – indictable quantity (x2),

•           knowingly deal with proceeds of crime,

•           possess unregistered firearm,

•           possess unauthorised pistol (x2),

•           not keep firearm safely (pistol),

•           possess ammunition w/o holding licence/permit/authority,

•           participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and,

•           possess precursor intend to use in manufacture/production.

He was refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today (Thursday 29 April 2021).

Shortly after, investigators from Raptor Squad and Southern Region RES executed 10 search warrants at properties at Dover Heights, Miranda, Revesby, Pyrmont, Peakhurst, Rose Bay, Taren Point and Zetland.

During the searches, officers seized more than $1.2 million cash, three firearms, ammunition, four luxury vehicles, jewellery valued at $1 million, electronic devices, items consistent with the supply of prohibited drugs and 100L of chemicals used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs.

Officers also seized 12.5kg of prohibited drugs – including cocaine, MDMA, and methylamphetamine (ice) – with a combined estimated potential street value of $12 million.

A further five men – aged 26, 28, 47 and two aged 31 – were arrested during the operation and taken to local police stations.

A 26-year-old Rose Bay man was charged with 25 counts of supply prohibited drug and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

He has been refused bail to appear at Waverley Local Court today.

A 28-year-old Revesby Heights man was charged with 11 counts of supply prohibited drug and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

He has been refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court today.

A 31-year-old Peakhurst man – who is a Bandidos OMCG member – was charged with 37 counts of take part supply prohibited drug, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and conceal serious indictable offence.

He has been refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court today.

A 31-year-old Pyrmont man was charged with 30 counts of supply prohibited drug and knowingly direct activities of criminal group. He has been refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today.

A 47-year-old Zetland man was charged with 12 offences including supply prohibited drug, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

He has been refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today.