The NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) has charged seven men after seizing eight firearms, more than 11kg of cocaine and $2 million cash as part of an investigation into the supply of firearms and cocaine across Sydney.
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In mid-2019, the JCTT - comprising the Australian Federal Police (AFP), NSW Police Force (NSWPF), the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, and the NSW Crime Commission - commenced an investigation under Operation Veerle after receiving information relating to unlawful access to firearms.
As part of inquiries, the JCTT uncovered an alleged criminal network involved in the illicit supply of cocaine and firearms.
Since May 2020, investigators have seized six firearms, including a shortened Norinco SKS, a Chinese-manufactured SKS, a .45 calibre Norinco 1911, a shortened Mini-14, a shortened 12-gauge pump-action shotgun, and a COLT 1908 self-loading pistol; various calibres of ammunition, a military-grade smoke grenade, and about 1kg of cocaine.
Following extensive investigations, Operation Veerle investigators, with the assistance of the Tactical Operations Unit, arrested two men at Bass Hill at about 11:30am on December 15.
During a search of the men and their vehicles, investigators seized 200g of cocaine, $24,400 cash and mobile phones.
Both men - aged 30 and 36 - were taken to Bankstown Police Station.
Shortly after the arrests, JCTT investigators executed 10 search warrants at homes across Sydney and a further search warrant at a rural property in the Southern Tablelands.
The operation was also assisted by the State Crime Command's Criminal Groups Squad, the Public Order and Riot Squad, South West Metropolitan Operations Support Group, the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, and officers from various Police Area Commands and Police Districts.
During the searches, police seized about $2 million cash, more than 10kg of cocaine, a Winchester lever-action rifle, a Franchi Spas 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition, a number of vehicles, jet skis, cannabis, mobile phones, and electronic devices.
A further five men - aged 31, 35, 36, 39 and 46 - were arrested during the operation and taken to local police stations.
The JCTT can confirm there is no impending threat to the community related to Operation Veerle, which is an ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you may think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.
Further, information relating to any criminal activity in the community can be reported to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
