Police remove weapons and drugs cache from the Hells Angels OMCG

Police have seized illegal guns, explosives and illicit drugs believed to be linked to an outlaw motorcycle gang.

In March this year, the Organised Crime Targeting Squad working with the NSW Crime Commission and the Gangs Squad conducted a series of raids in NSW after a long-running investigation into the supply of drugs, guns and explosives to organised criminal groups.

A total of 36 people were arrested and charged by Strike Force Alistair detectives and remain before the court on serious drug, firearm and other offences.

As part of their ongoing investigations, detectives uncovered a cache of weapons and drugs secreted in a car parked in a secure parking rental space in Castlereagh Street, in the Sydney CBD.

Police believe the vehicle was being used as a storage safe house by the Hells Angels.

Inside the car, police found 10 sticks of Powergel explosives with detonators, four rifles, a shotgun, three pistols including a key ring pistol, three silencers, a large quantity of ammunition, 10 firearm magazines, various firearm parts, two stun guns, 3kg of the illicit drug Nexus, night vision goggles, balaclavas and gloves.

The explosives have been destroyed by police, but were capable of causing significant damage, possible injury and even death if detonated. Two of the firearms seized have been linked to other crimes.

For operational reasons, police had been unable to discuss the discovery until now. Investigations are continuing.

Deputy Commissioner – Specialist Operations Catherine Burn said police were committed to targeting all criminal groups, removing their weapons and disrupting their illegal activities.

“The cache of weapons and explosives seized by police shows the incredible lengths that criminal groups are prepared to go to arm themselves and protect and further their illicit activities,” Deputy Commissioner Burn said.

“The fact that any person would store explosives capable of causing significant damage in the heart of the Sydney CBD shows the blatant disregard organised criminal groups have for the safety of the public.

“The community can be assured that we will continue to use all the resources available to us to target these criminal groups, disrupt their activities and remove dangerous weapons from the streets of Sydney.”

Deputy Commissioner Burn said police were concerned that criminals continued to arm themselves, and reiterated that police needed the community’s help to continue to locate and seize those illegal weapons.

“If you know who where those weapons are, you need to let us know and can do so anonymously.”

The NSW Police Force will continue to work with its partner agencies to target criminal groups.

Anyone with information about illegal weapons or organised crime activity should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/. Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence.