An arsenal of six grenades, eight firearms and a $3 million stash of drugs has been uncovered at a home in a quiet cul-de-sac in Sydney’s southwest.
Police made the shocking discovery at about 9am on Tuesday as detectives executed a firearm prohibition order compliance check at an alleged safe house in Glenfield, near Liverpool.
A ‘safe house’ is a property used by criminals to store weapons, drugs, cash or stolen goods, hide suspects, and plan crimes.
During the search, police seized six grenades, three semi-automatic assault rifles, four shotguns, a pistol, firearm parts and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
Police also found 6kg of cocaine, 1kg of methylamphetamine, 1kg of ketamine, 15kg of cannabis, 1.1kg of heroin, 107g of MDMA, electronic devices and about $9,000 in cash.
A 26-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were arrested and taken to Campbelltown Police Station.
The man was charged with 27 offences, including firearm possession and drug supply offences, as well as knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
The charges also include possessing, supplying or making an explosive for an unlawful purpose, defacing an identification mark on a firearm or firearm part, and organising, conducting or assisting a drug premises.
An arsenal of grenades, guns and a pile of drugs worth $3million has been discovered in a home in Sydney’s southwest
When police arrested a 26-year-old man at the property, he could be seen clutching a gold vape in his hands
He was charged with multiple counts of possessing an unauthorised firearm
He was refused bail and is due to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Wednesday.
The woman was charged with one count of organising, conducting or assisting a drug premises and granted conditional bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on August 27.
State Crime Commander Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook said the seizure exposed the dangers posed by organised crime groups.
‘The fact these items were located inside an alleged safe house shows the level of violence these groups are prepared to engage in, and the level of risk they pose to the public,’ he said.
‘We will continue to target these networks relentlessly. Anyone involved in organised criminal activity should expect Taskforce Falcon to be at their door.’
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley praised the efforts of police and said the bust should put wrongdoers on notice.
‘It’s awful to think what could have happened if police hadn’t intervened when they did,’ Catley said.
‘To anyone thinking of taking part in this alleged vicious criminality, our message is: be prepared to spend a long time in a small cell.’
Police are expected to provide more information about the arrests at a press conference later today.
A 26-year-old woman was charged with organising/conducting/assisting drug premises
Six kilograms of cocaine, 1kg of methylamphetamine, 1kg of ketamine, 15kg of cannabis, 1.1kg of heroin, and 107g of MDMA was found inside the property
Police seized four shotguns, a pistol, firearm parts, and more than 1000 rounds of ammunition
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
