‘Heart ripped out of’ Assyrian crime gang in Sydney raids: police

Arrested … a suspect is led away after the raid by Strike Force Face.
Police say they have “ripped the heart out” of an Assyrian organised crime gang after a series of dawn raids in Sydney’s south-west.

“We have effectively dismantled an organised crime group,” Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli told reporters in Sydney today.

“With a total of seven arrests over the last month we have effectively ripped the heart out of a syndicate of organised criminals.”
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Arrested … a suspect is led away after the raid by Strike Force Face.

Arrested … a suspect is led away after the raid by Strike Force Face. Photo: NSW Police

Mr Mennilli alleged the group were not only selling drugs but were also involved in the sale of firearms.

Police stormed four Fairfield homes before 7am (AEDT) today and took three men, aged 18, 19 and 20, into custody.

A fourth member of the alleged syndicate, an 18-year-old man, was also arrested overnight.

The men are expected to be charged with more than 20 offences, including drug supply and participating in a criminal group.

The arrests come after Strike Force Face was formed in July last year to probe the street supply of methylamphetamine and cannabis by the criminal group.

Strike Force Face has also been working with Operation Spartan on the recent spate of shootings across Sydney this year.

Seven members of the alleged criminal group have now been arrested by strike force investigators, including the syndicate’s alleged kingpin last month.

The 21-year-old suspected leader was arrested during a raid at a Fairfield home that netted nine firearms, ammunition and a quantity of drugs.

The firearms included three automatic pistols, a revolver, a rifle, two shotguns and two shortened rifles.

Two other men, aged 19 and 20, were in custody on unrelated matters and were expected to be charged in the near future, police said.

Mr Mennilli said the arrests were a warning to anyone involved in extortion and drug and firearm offences.

“We will target you, we will arrest you and we will put you before the courts.”

AAP

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/heart-ripped-out-of-assyrian-crime-gang-in-sydney-raids-police-20120229-1u24i.html#ixzz1nnnKRpbc