NSW police charge two after FPO searches and proactive operation in Sydney’s south west

Two men have been charged following a string of Firearms Prohibition Order searches, as police continue to target the activities of criminal groups throughout Sydney’s south west.

As part of ongoing targeting of the illicit activities of criminal groups – and to suppress violent acts – in the Fairfield area, officers from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor, with assistance from Bass Hill Regional Enforcement Squad, Fairfield City Police Area Command and Liverpool City Police Area Command, conducted a proactive operation across Sydney.

Nine FPO searches were conducted at homes in Middleton Grange, Bonnyrigg Heights, Prairiewood, St Johns Park, Penrith, Kemps Creek, and Gregory Hills yesterday (Monday 5 August 2019) and today (Tuesday 6 August 2019).

During the operation, a 31-year-old man was arrested at a home on Bird Walton Avenue, Middleton Grange, after police located 60g of cannabis and drug paraphernalia about 6.30am yesterday.

He was taken to Liverpool Police Station and charged with supply prohibited drug (small quantity).

The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday 4 September 2019.

A high-visibility police operation was also conducted on Saturday (3 August 2019).

During the operation, officers searched 20 people, 11 vehicles and seven businesses. Police issued 12 traffic infringement notices and nine vehicle defect notice.

Of note, police located a 37-year-old man in a vehicle on Harris Lane, Fairfield, who was later charged with take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, drive vehicle during disqualification period, and breach of bail.

He was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday (4 August 2019), where he was granted conditional bail to re-appear at Fairfield Local Court on Friday 30 August 2019.

Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.

Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist Strike Force Raptor can report it directly to investigators via the Strike Force Raptor online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=49 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Information provided to investigators will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

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