Six individuals, including two teenagers, are facing a series of serious charges following a major police operation in Sydney that intercepted a taxi carrying loaded guns and led to the discovery of a significant weapons cache.
Taxi Interception and Arrests
New South Wales police made a critical breakthrough on Monday, arresting a 16-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man in the suburb of Old Toongabbie, in Sydney's west. The pair were travelling in a taxi and were allegedly found in possession of two loaded firearms and a dedicated encrypted criminal communication device.
Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy stated that police believe the duo were "on their way to commit a further serious act involving firearms." The arrests occurred after the individuals attempted to flee from a police highway patrol stop.
Weapons Cache Uncovered in Rouse Hill
In a coordinated follow-up operation, police executed searches at a property in Rouse Hill, in Sydney's north-west. This raid uncovered a substantial trove of illicit items, including:
- Four stolen vehicles
- Five firearms
- Thousands of rounds of high-calibre ammunition
- Fake number plates
- Two ballistic vests
While police were on the scene, three males—an 18-year-old man, a 23-year-old man, and a 17-year-old boy—attempted to flee the property but were promptly apprehended.
Links to Earlier Shooting and Further Charges
This operation is part of an ongoing investigation into a violent home invasion in Tallawong, in Sydney's north-west, which occurred in November. During that incident, offenders allegedly fired shots and deployed a stun grenade into a residence. Police allege that the 16-year-old and 20-year-old arrested in the taxi were involved in that earlier shooting.
In a separate but related arrest on Monday, a 25-year-old man was taken into custody in Guildford. He was allegedly found with two mobile phones, one of which was an encrypted communication device.
All six individuals have been refused bail and were scheduled to appear before various Sydney courts on Tuesday. They face a slew of charges including multiple firearm offences and participating in a criminal group.
Dismantling a Criminal Syndicate
Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy emphasised the impact of the seizures, stating, "This seizure certainly hinders that group and dismantles that criminal syndicate." Police believe the group operated as a contracted team, carrying out violent offences on behalf of others.
The successful operation highlights the continued efforts of NSW Police to target organised criminal activity and remove dangerous weapons from Sydney's streets.
