Five men have been charged with dozens of offences and nine stolen vehicles seized as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged organised crime syndicates across Sydney.
NSW detectives set up Strike Force Newnham earlier this year after a taxi driver handed in to police in a bag found in the back of his vehicle containing two loaded pistols and an electronic stun device wrapped in towels.
A ballistic examination linked one of the firearms to a shooting in Westmead in western Sydney in June 2020.
Police raided two properties in late July which resulted in the arrests of three men before further inquiries led to two more men being charged with multiple charges on Wednesday.
A Volkswagen, two Mercedes, Audi S5 and three BMWs were among the fleet of allegedly stolen vehicles seized.
Detectives executed a crime scene warrant at a property a Summer Hill in Sydney’s inner-west on July 30, where registration plates and mechanical equipment were seized.
Police have released footage of a search warrant of this Canterbury home on Wednesday, where they
Prohibited drugs, more registration plates and seven stolen high-performance vehicles were also seized during a search warrant at a Maraylya property in Sydney’s north-west the same day
A Volkswagen, Mercedes, Audi S5 and two BMWs with a combined value of more than $500,000 were among the vehicles seized.
A black Mercedes AMG and BMW M3 were also seized after two tow trucks were stopped by officers on the M4 the same day.
A man, 29, was arrested at the Maraylya property and later charged with a string of charges, including attempting receive property theft, possession prohibited drug, possession/attempt to prescribed restricted substance, and receiving.
He has been hit with 20 more offences and will reappear in Parramatta Local Court on September 15.
Two men aged 24 and 53 face court on Thursday after they were each charged with 20 offences on Wednesday
A second man, 36, was charged the same day during a vehicle stop at Summer Hill.
He was charged with two counts of possession of a prohibited drug, driving while licence cancelled, contravene public safety order, possession of unauthorised pistol, acquiring pistol subject to firearms prohibition order, acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order and possession ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.
Police will allege he was also in possession of a firearm left in a taxi earlier this year when the man reappears in Campbelltown Local Court in October.
A third arrest was made the next day on July 31 at Penrith police station.
The man, 30, as charged with two counts of possession of unauthorised pistol, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority and possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.
Police alleged the man was in possession of a firearm left in a taxi earlier this year.
He will also face court in October.
A number of luxury vehicles (pictured) were seized as part of investigation into alleged crime syndicates across Sydney
Two more men aged 24 and 53 were arrested when strike force detectives and Raptor Squad officers raided a home in Canterbury in Sydney’s south-west on Wednesday
Officers seized cash, numerous vehicle keys, a police strobe light, documentation among other items.
Both men were charged with 20 offences and were refused bail to appear in Burwood Local Court on Thursday.
Police allege the men were involved in obtaining the nine stolen vehicles located at Maraylya in July.
Detectives urge the public to come forward with information as investigations continue.
This man (pictured on Wednesday) is one of five who have been arrested and charged with multiple offences
‘Specialist police have been conducting a thorough forensic examination of the vehicles and the locations they were found in, while investigators continue to canvass surrounding suburbs,’ Criminal Groups Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor said.
‘As investigations continue, police are interested in speaking with anyone who has noticed high-end vehicles coming and going from locations in their local area.
‘We know there are many in the community who are affected by COVID-19 and spending more time at home. It is possible that your observations may be of great assistance to police.
‘Sydney and its surrounding suburbs have recently been plagued with violent criminal activity that is now firmly under the microscope of police,’ Det Supt Taylor said.
A Volkswagen (pictured), two Mercedes, Audi S5 and three BMWs with a combined value of more than $500,000 were among the vehicles seized