Six males have been arrested and seven illegal firearms seized after a series of raids over an alleged shooting and grenade attack on a home in western Sydney.
NSW Police earlier this month charged an African man, 19, over the alleged shooting on Loura Street, Tallawong, November 27, where shots were allegedly fired at the home and a stun grenade thrown inside after a sledgehammer was used to smash down the door.
At 9.40am on Monday officers from the anti-gang Raptor Squad stopped a taxi on Old Windsor Road, Old Toongabbie and arrested a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old male, and allegedly seized two loaded illegal firearms and a Dedicated Encrypted Criminal Communication Device (DECCD).
The 20-year-old was taken to Westmead Hospital for treatment for minor injuries, and images of the arrests show a man of Pacific Islander appearance in handcuffs with scrapes on his arms, and another man being handcuffed near a fence.
At 11am a 25-year-old man was arrested on Mountford Avenue, Guildford, and two mobile phones were seized, one believed to be a DECCD, and at 11.30am police located four allegedly stolen vehicles in Rouse Hill, and arrested three males, 17, 18, and 23, who allegedly ran from the property.
During a search of the house police allegedly found five more illegal firearms, thousands of rounds of high-calibre ammunition, multiple fake number plates and two ballistic vests.
Raptor Squad Commander Brad Abdy said police believe the group were a “contract crew” who carry out crimes on behalf of other serious organised crime syndicates.
He also confirmed that all firearms seized were unregistered, and said police were investigating whether first two men arrested were on their way to pick up stolen vehicles to “commit another serious violent act involving firearms”.
The 20-year-old was refused bail on 13 firearms, gang, stolen goods and resisting police charges, and the 16-year-old was also refused bail and charged with 11 firearms, gang and stolen goods offences.
The 23-year-old was charged with eight offences over the alleged Tallawong attack, including “fire firearm at dwelling-house disregard for safety”, and with 11 firearms, gang and stolen goods offences along with the other two men arrested in Rouse Hill. All were refused bail.
Header image: Left, right, two of the men being arrested (NSW Police).
