A man and woman have been charged after police seized firearms, ammunition, and illicit drugs during proactive operations in Sydney’s west.
Earlier this month, in response to public acts of violence, South West Metropolitan (SWM) Region initiated Strike Force Hawk, a high-visibility operation which deploys various strategies to prevent and disrupt serious and organised crime within the community.
The operation is being run in conjunction with State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad, which has been proactively targeting more than 300 identified members and associates of these criminal networks.
About 7am yesterday (Thursday 29 October 2021), detectives from State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad and Raptor Squad executed a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO) search at a unit on the Great Western Highway, Westmead.
During the search, police located a loaded handgun in a sock outside a bedroom window.
Also located was a gel-blaster firearm, ammunition, and about 22 grams of white powder believed to be cocaine.
All items seized will undergo further forensic examination.
Two people – a man and woman – were arrested and taken to Granville Police Station.
The man, aged 24, was charged with two counts possess unauthorised pistol, two counts not keep firearm safely – pistol, and possess ammunition without holding licence or permit or authority.
He was refused bail and will appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Friday 29 October 2021).
The woman, aged 34, was charged with possess ammunition without holding licence or permit or authority, hinder discovery evidence – serious indictable offence, supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), and resist or hinder police officer in execution of duty.
She was granted conditional bail and will appear at Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday 23 November 2021.
Investigations continue.
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.
