Five people have been arrested and more than $300,000 cash and four vehicles have been seized as part of a car rebirthing investigation.
In August 2018, detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad’s Motor Unit established Strike Force Emelle to investigate the coordinated theft, rebirthing and on-sale of stolen motor vehicles and vessels across Sydney.
As part of their inquiries, detectives also received information about the supply of prohibited drugs.
Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives, with assistance from the North West and South West Operations Support Group, executed five search warrants at homes in The Ponds, Hornsby, Yagoona, Ermington and Dundas yesterday (Wednesday 30 October 2019).
During a search of the properties, officers seized more than $332,000 cash, four vehicles including a Honda Integra sedan, Toyota Prado and two BMW’s, four boats, a motorcycle, mobile phones, knuckle dusters, electronic devices, firearms and documents.
Officers also seized more than 660g of cocaine, which has an estimated potential street value of more than $245,000.
A 30-year-old man was arrested at The Ponds and taken to Riverstone Police Station. He was charged with 32 offences including knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal, knowingly facilitate organised car rebirthing, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, steal motor vehicle (x9), possess vehicle/vessel with intent to copy etc (x4), and supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity).
He was refused bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court today (Thursday 31 October 2019).
A 20-year-old man was arrested at Hornsby and taken to Hornsby Police Station. He was charged with 14 offences including; knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal (x2), knowingly facilitate organised car rebirthing, knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime, dishonestly interfere/copy unique identifier (x2), and supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.
He appeared at Hornsby Local Court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at the same court on Wednesday 22 January 2020.
A 32-year-old man was arrested at Yagoona and taken to Bankstown Police Station. He was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal (x2), and knowingly facilitate organised car rebirthing.
He appeared at Bankstown Local Court yesterday, where he was granted strict conditional bail to re-appear at the same court on Wednesday 8 January 2020.
Police will allege in court that the syndicate were involved in the rebirthing of more than 25 vehicles with a combined value of more than $2.5 million, and a number of vessels with a combined value of more than $350,000.
It will be further alleged that members of the syndicate were also involved in the distribution and supply of prohibited drugs.
Following further inquiries, detectives executed a further two search warrants at homes at Harris Park and Westleigh earlier today (Thursday 31 October 2019).
A 64-year-old man was arrested at a home in Westleigh and taken to Hornsby Police Station.
A short time later, a 20-year-old woman was arrested at the Harris Park home and taken to Granville Police Station.
Charges are expected to be laid and investigations under Strike Force Emelle are continuing.
Anyone with information that can assist Strike Force Emelle detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
