PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF-branded footage of the arrests, as well of vision of the gun being tested by police, will be available via Hightail later today.
Drug & Firearms Squad detectives have charged four men after a firearm, ammunition and cash were found in bushland in Greystanes last week.
About 8pm on Tuesday 16 January 2024, officers attached to Cumberland Police Area Command were called to bushland off Taylor Street in Greystanes after members of the public found a bag containing a firearm, ammunition and cash.
A crime scene was established, and local police commenced initial inquiries, before the matter was taken carriage of by State Crime Command’s Drug & Firearms Squad under Strike Force Braim.
Strike Force Braim was established in December 2023 to investigate the unlawful supply of firearms in the Sydney area.
Following extensive inquiries, including a public appeal for information, about 6.20am Monday 22 January 2024, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – executed a search warrant in Greystanes where they arrested a 19-year-old man.
During a search of the property, police located and seized electronics, balaclavas, NSW registration plates, a disassembled gel-blaster, prohibited drugs, $2,350 and a Volkswagen Polo.
The man was taken to Granville Police Station where he was charged with possess unauthorised prohibited firearm, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and attempt to supply unregistered firearm-prohibited firearm.
He was refused bail and appeared before Parramatta Local Court the same day, where he was granted conditional bail to re-appear in the same court on Thursday 8 February 2024.
Following further inquiries, about 6.30am today (Thursday 24 January 2024), strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – executed a search warrant in Concord West, where they arrested a 19-year-old man.
He was taken to Burwood Police Station where he was charged with seven offences, including three counts of supply unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm, two counts of acquire etc firearm – subject to prohibition order, unlawfully sell firearms three times or more within 12 months, and participate in a criminal group.
The man was refused bail to appear before Burwood Local Court today.
Simultaneously, strike force detectives – with assistance from South West Metropolitan Operational Support Group – executed a search warrant in Cabramatta, where they arrested a 19-year-old man.
He was taken to Fairfield Police Station where he was charged with supply unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm, supply unregistered firearm-prohibited firearm, and participate criminal group.
The man was refused bail to appear in Fairfield Local Court today.
At 10am today, strike force detectives attended an address in Greystanes where they arrested a 20-year-old man.
He was taken to Granville Police Station, where he was charged with supply unregistered firearm-not pistol/prohibited firearm, supply unregistered firearm-prohibited firearm and participate in a criminal group.
The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today.
During the searches of the properties – and an additional search warrant in Chipping Norton – police located and seized $12,350 in cash, electronics, prohibited drugs, and a safe.
Police will allege in court the men were involved in a criminal syndicate supplying unlawful firearms, and the gun found in Greystanes was left with intent to be picked up by a buyer.
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.
