In May 2020, Bankstown detectives established Strike Force Polar to investigate drug supply and manufacture, and firearm offences.
As part of their investigations, detectives executed a search warrant at a home in Saltash Street, Yagoona, in April, allegedly seizing four firearms, two revolvers and two pistols, along with ammunition and 2.27kg of cocaine, 250g of methylamphetamine, 5.27g of MDMA and 3.86g of heroin.
The items were forensically examined, with one of the pistols allegedly linked to a public place shooting at Yagoona 16 days earlier.
Two men, aged 36 and 30, were arrested at separate homes in Punchbowl and a 23-year-old man was arrested at a Chester Hill home. A 37-year-old man was later arrested at a Canterbury home.
The 36-year-old was charged with 38 offences, including participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, deal with proceeds of crime, possess unauthorised pistol, possess unauthorised firearm – pistol, acquire pistol subject to firearms prohibition order and acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order and further firearm and drug offences.
The 30-year-old was charged with 11 offences, including participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order, 2x possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, 2x acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order, possess unauthorised pistol, possess unregistered firearm-pistol, not keep firearm safely-pistol and acquire pistol-subject to firearms prohibition order.
The 23-year-old was charged with six offences including participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, possess unauthorised pistol, possess unregistered firearm-pistol and not keep firearm safely-pistol.
The 37-year-old was charged with four offences including participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, deal with proceeds of crime and goods in custody (x2).
Holdup spree across four servos
DETECTIVES are investigating an armed robbery spree across four service stations, including two at Yagoona and Narwee.
The incidents are believed to be linked and occurred last Sunday between 6.15pm and 9.30pm.
About 6.15pm, two men armed with a baseball bat entered a service station at Auburn Road, Yagoona, and threatened an employee before stealing cash. The pair were last seen heading south on Auburn Road. Police conducted an extensive search of the area; however, the men were not located.
About 7.40pm, two men armed with a baseball bat and a knife entered a service station at Broadarrow Road, Narwee, and threatened an employee and demanded cash. When the employee refused, the men fled the area and were last seen heading toward Bryant Street.
In the two hours following, service stations at Lidcombe and Lansvale were robbed.
None of the employees were physically injured.
Police are appealing for anyone with information or who may have dashcam footage from the areas at the time of the incidents, to come forward.
Home invader trio assault males
TWO men were taken to hospital following an home invasion in Bankstown last Tuesday.
About 7.50pm, the men, aged 36 and 67, and two women, aged 26 and 66, were at a Greenwood Avenue house at Bankstown, when three unknown armed men entered the rear yard of the property.
The two male residents were bound with cable ties before being assaulted.
The group demanded money before ransacking the house and leaving the scene over the back fence and were last seen entering a black Mazda.
Both men were taken to hospital in a stable condition and treated for cuts and grazes.
Police are now searching for three men who were wearing high visibility vests and surgical masks.
Search uncovers weapons, cash
A RIVERWOOD man has been charged after a search of his home allegedly uncovered a number of firearms and prohibited weapons in various areas of the home.
About 11.30am on Friday, July 16, detectives executed a search warrant at the home on Eldon Street and allegedly located firearm parts, including a shortened double barrel receiver and stock, cash, knives, prohibited weapons and a laptop computer suspected of being stolen.
The 30-year-old was charged with firearm found at premises – subject to prohibition order, possess shortened firearm without authority, use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and goods in custody.
