Six charged after Raptor Squad seizes firearms in western Sydney

Six people, including two teenagers, have been charged after Raptor Squad officers intercepted a vehicle allegedly carrying loaded firearms in Sydney’s west on Monday.

The arrests form part of an ongoing investigation into a public shooting in Tallawong in November, as police work to dismantle a group suspected of multiple violent offences.

Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy, commander of the Raptor Squad, said the operation was linked to Strike Force Calvin, established in November to probe the shooting at Laura St, Tallawong.

“The earlier 19-year-old man who was charged on 9 December and the man charged yesterday were actually the people who shot at the premises,” Superintendent Abdy said.

“They smashed into the door with a sledgehammer, threw a flashbang grenade into those premises, and then discharged further shots from the front lawn.

“Their getaway car stopped down the road, and they ran from it. In that car was an additional two firearms and a hand grenade.”

The investigation led officers to Old Windsor Rd, Old Toongabbie, at about 9.40am on Monday, where a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy were arrested after their taxi was stopped.

“They were stopped by members of our highway patrol, and they were actually in a taxi ... they were arrested shortly after they ran,” Superintendent Abdy said.

“We believe they were on their way to commit a further serious act involving firearms.

“The driver would have been happy to have them removed from his cab.”

Police seized two loaded firearms, cloned number plates, and a Dedicated Encrypted Criminal Communication Device (DECCD).

The 20-year-old received treatment for minor injuries at Westmead Hospital before being taken to Parramatta Police Station, while the 16-year-old was also taken to Parramatta Police Station. Both were refused bail.

Later that morning, a 25-year-old man was arrested on Mountford Ave, Guildford, and charged with participating in a criminal group.

Police seized two mobile phones, one believed to be a DECCD.

About 11.30am, strike force detectives located four allegedly stolen vehicles at a house in Rouse Hill.

It is alleged a group of people caught a taxi to what is believed to be an Airbnb in Rouse Hill on Monday, where cars with cloned number plates were found, a court was told on Tuesday.

When officers arrived, 18-year-old Leonaitasi Havili was allegedly seen leaving the Maneroo St address briefly before reentering.

Three occupants – including Mr Havili, a 23-year-old, and a 17-year-old boy – ran from the property but were arrested nearby after a short foot pursuit.

The alleged offences were described as a “very serious matter” by a magistrate during Mr Havili’s bail hearing on Tuesday.

“Bail must be refused in this matter,” she said.

“It is a strong case, he is found at the location where numerous firearms are located.”

His matter was adjourned until February 20.

During a search of the Rouse Hill property, police seized five firearms, thousands of rounds of high-calibre ammunition, multiple fake number plates, two ballistic vests with Queensland Police Service printed on them, a bolt action pistol and a silencer, pistol conversion kits, magazines, cartridges, and several sets of cloned registrations.

The four vehicles, which allegedly contained cloned number plates, were also seized for forensic examination.

A subsequent search at a home on Talbot St, Guildford, uncovered further DECCDs, ammunition, and clothing.

Superintendent Abdy said the weapons seized included semi-automatic pistols and revolvers, often used in organised crime-related murders.

All six people face multiple firearms and criminal group offences.

One of the Rouse Hill men, 23, was additionally charged over the Tallawong shooting.

“This seizure certainly hinders that group and dismantles that criminal syndicate,” Superintendant Abdy said, noting that youths were being recruited into serious criminal activity.

He confirmed the group was not directly affiliated with any known criminal organisation but appeared to operate as a contracted team carrying out offences on behalf of others.

Investigations under Strike Force Calvin are ongoing.