Raptor Squad officers have arrested three men in dawn raids across Sydney’s west, as proactive operations targeting organised criminal networks under Task Force Erebus continue.
The men – who are aged between 18 and 19 and all allegedly members of an organised criminal network (OCN) – were arrested after search warrants were executed at homes at Carramar, Auburn, Merrylands, Greystanes and St Clair, from 6am today (Wednesday 18 May 2022).
During the searches, police seized cannabis, drug paraphernalia consistent with drug supply, cash, multiple mobile phones, and other items for further forensic examinations.
Detectives were assisted by officers attached to North West Metropolitan Operation Support Group (OSG) throughout the operation.
It will be alleged in court that two of the men were involved in the assault of an unknown male inside a toilet at Sydney Olympic Park. The injured male has not been identified; however, the assault was captured on mobile phone vision.
Both those men – aged 18 – were arrested at homes in Auburn and Merrylands West and taken to local police stations.
They have since been charged with one count of affray and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity each and granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court next month.
A 19-year-old man was arrested at Carramar and taken to Fairfield Police Station. He was charged with drug supply prohibited drug and deal with property proceeds of crime.
He was refused bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court later today.
State Crime Command Director, Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett, said the assault was serious in nature and the men allegedly involved required urgent police attention.
“Investigators are examining significant amounts of intelligence gathered in the last week, and as such, we’ve identified offences and acted instantly with these arrests today,” Det Ch Supt Bennett said.
“We will be alleging those charged are part of an organised criminal network who carry out a range of illicit activities on behalf of others – including the assault they’ve been charged over today.
“Erebus’ remit is about organising across jurisdictions to prevent any further public acts of violence and we believe these men were a risk to the community, so we’ve acted accordingly,” Det Ch Supt Bennett said.
Task Force Erebus was established by the NSW Police Force, in partnership with the NSW Crime Commission, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and Australian Federal Police (AFP), to investigate a spate of recent murders and other serious organised crime.
The Taskforce is being led by State Crime Command (SCC) under the National Organised Crime Response Plan and includes detectives, analysts, and other resources as part of a bolstered multi-agency response.
Anyone with information that may assist Task Force Erebus 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.
