A second man has been charged following the seizure of $2 million worth of illicit drugs and 11 firearms in Sydney’s south last month.
In June 2019, the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor commenced an investigation into the illicit activities of a group operating across Sydney.
Following extensive inquiries, Strike Force Raptor, assisted by the Public Order and Riot Squad and Central Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad, executed eight criminal organisation search warrants at two residential units at Rockdale and two industrial premises at Botany, about 4pm on Friday 30 August 2019.
During the search, police located 7.7kg of cocaine, and seven firearms – including an assault rifle, a Smith & Wesson revolver, and semi-automatic pistols – in a false air-conditioning unit above a penthouse apartment on Market Street, Rockdale.
Police also located a further four firearms, ammunition, bullet proof vests, 1kg of cocaine and 1kg of methylamphetamine during a search of the basement and 25 litres of GBL at Botany.
The firearms will undergo forensic and ballistic examination.
A 27-year-old man was arrested and charged at the time. He remains before the courts.
Following further investigations, strike force detectives arrested a 37-year-old man at a unit on Market Street, Rockdale, about 10.30am yesterday (Friday 13 September 2019).
He was taken to Kogarah Police Station and charged with 25 offences including supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity x2), supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), possess unauthorised prohibited firearm (x7), possess unregistered firearm-pistol (x7), not keep firearm safety-prohibited firearm (x7), and possess more than three unregistered firearms.
The Rockdale man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 14 September 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.
