Drugs and firearms seized; man charged following investigation by Task Force Magnus

PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF-branded footage of the arrest and items seized are available via Hightail – https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/azeHixkoeV

A man will face court today, charged following an investigation into alleged large scale drug supply and manufacturing across Sydney’s South West under Task Force Magnus.

Task Force Magnus was established in July 2023 as a policing strategy to target and disrupt gun-related and violent crime, and to investigate links between organised criminal activity in Sydney.

Following extensive inquiries, about 9.30am yesterday (Thursday 26 October 2023), officers attached to Task Force Magnus – with assistance from South West Metropolitan Region Operation Support Group and the Dog Squad – executed a search warrant in Merrylands.

During the search, investigators found items consistent with drug manufacture, as well as large quantities of prohibited drugs, including 1.6kg of methylamphetamine and 125g of cannabis.

Officers also located a taser, two replica firearms, electronics, and other items believed stolen.

All the items were seized to undergo further forensic examination.

A 49-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Granville Police Station where he was charged with eleven offences including possess unauthorised pistol, deal with proceeds of crime, possess identity info to commit etc indictable, organises/conducts/assists drug premises and drug supply.

He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Friday 27 October 2023).

Police will allege in court the man was involved in drug manufacturing and supply on behalf of an Organised Criminal Network.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

/Public Release. View in full here.