A high-ranking member of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) will face court for allegedly breaching his Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO), as proactive operations targeting members, associates, and supporters of organised criminal networks continue.
Last October (2021), police from the State Crime Command and South West Metropolitan Region established Strike Force Hawk, a high-visibility operation which deploys various strategies to prevent and disrupt serious and organised crime within the community.
Since that time, police have seized almost 70 firearms, and executed over 360 search warrants, crime scene warrants, and Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) searches on identified members and associates of organised criminal networks (OCNs).
Additionally, more than 800 charges have been brought against around 250 people.
Following recent public acts of violence, police have commenced a number of proactive operations to supress further OCN activity, aided by extensive intelligence gathering around persons involved in current and emerging conflicts.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said the NSW Government remained determined to support police in their work dismantling the operations of criminals in Sydney’s south-west.
“The execution of Mahmoud Ahmad at Greenacre was a disgraceful and intolerable act of public violence, but this only strengthens our resolve to ensure police are well-equipped to arrest and charge those responsible,” Mr Toole said.
“The message is simple: if you’re even remotely associated with organised crime, police are watching, they have leads, and they will act.”
State Crime Command Director, Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett, said the increased operational activity will continue for as long as it is required.
“We have a huge amount of intelligence, which was gathered both in the leadup to and the days following Mahmoud’s murder but preventing these types of events is an imperfect science – and a challenging one at that,” Det Ch Supt Bennet said.
“Ahmad was cautioned about the imminent threat to his life on multiple occasions but chose to ignore those warnings, with fatal consequences.
“We also have large deployments of officers conducting overt and covert activities to assist Homicide Squad detectives with the investigation into his murder and stop any further violence from occurring.
“This sort of barbarity won’t be tolerated, and I just want to assure everyone that stopping these murders and holding those responsible to account is of the highest importance to police,” Det Ch Supt Bennett said.
Events from the operation so far include;
- Just before 4am on Thursday 28 April 2022, Raptor Squad officers attended a unit in Sydney’s south and executed a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) search. A crime scene was declared after police located around 18 grams of cocaine, $24,050 in cash, cannabis, and a Dedicated Encrypted Communication Device (DECD). All items were subsequently seized for further forensic examination, and a 55-year-old man was arrested and taken to St George Police Station. He was charged with supply prohibited drug more than indictable amount and possess prohibited drug. The man was refused bail and appeared at Sutherland Local Court that day, where he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court on Tuesday 3 May 2022.
- About 7.15am on Thursday 28 April 2022, Raptor Squad officers executed a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) search at a unit at Picnic Point, during which they located a prohibited pistol, a prohibited weapon and cannabis. A crime scene was declared, and the items were seized for further examination. A 50-year-old man – who is a member of the Bandidos OMCG – was arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and firearm found at premises-subject to prohibition order. He was refused bail and appeared at Bankstown Local Court that day, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Thursday 5 May 2022.
- About 7am on Friday 29 April 2022, officers attached to the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad executed six criminal organisation search warrants at addresses in Yagoona, Bankstown, Horningsea Park, and Lane Cove West. During subsequent searches, police seized $40,000 cash, designer watches, electronic devices, DECDs, and prohibited drugs including cocaine, cannabis, and steroids. Inquiries continue.
- About 10am on Friday 29 April 2022, officers attached to the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad charged a 41-year-old man with two counts of contravene serious crime prevention order. It will be alleged in court the man – who is the National Sergeant at Arms of the Comanchero OMCG – failed to notify police of changes to his living arrangements while visiting NSW. He’s due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 22 June 2022.
Operational activity under Strike Force Hawk is ongoing.
Anyone with information about organised criminal activity in the community 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.
