Latest news with #FairfieldEast
News.com.au
29-06-2025
- News.com.au
Police seize more than 100kg of meth in suburban drug lab bust
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have disrupted a criminal syndicate and busted their suburban meth lab in Sydney's west. The Fairfield East home was raided on 19 June, where investigators found a clandestine drug lab. In their search the AFP found 77kg of drug-impregnated materials, 39kg of pre-manufactured methamphetamine, and 35kg of liquid allegedly containing methamphetamine. The raid came after a lengthy probe into the syndicate, starting in October 2023. US Customs initially detected 27kg of meth headed to Australia concealed in blankets from South America, with intelligence passed on to AFP. It is alleged the blankets were saturated in the drug, and had an estimated street value of $25m. The smuggling attempt was linked to a phone number that had previously tried to smuggle drugs across the border. Following further investigations police searched two properties in Sydney's western suburbs in April last year. At a Cabramatta home police located two electronic devices, while at a Canley Vale house they located an encrypted communication device which police later examined. Police inquiries led their search to the Fairfield East home. Inquiries remain ongoing into the syndicate. AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said that criminal groups are only motivated by greed and profit. 'The people behind importations like this have no regard for the harm and damage that illicit drugs wreak on the Australian community every minute of every day,' Superintendent Blunden said. 'I want to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of all the AFP members involved in these investigations, from investigators and intelligence members to all of our other support capabilities. 'I also wish to thank our counterparts at NSW Police, in particular the Drug & Firearms Squad Chemical Operations team for their specialist and expert assistance in this matter.' Images from the search of the Fairfield East home show tubs of alleged drugs, what appears to be a kitchen lab, and a red press. Electronic devices found at the home will be subject to further examination. No arrests or charges have been made at this time.
The Australian
19-06-2025
- The Australian
Sydney police bust fake luxury goods ring, seize cars, cash, firearms
Police have busted a $10m counterfeit luxury goods ring, seizing nine luxury cars, hundreds of fake designer items, cash, and a firearm in sweeping raids across western Sydney. Organised Crime Squad detectives arrested three men in the early-morning raids sparked by an extensive investigation into an organised criminal syndicate allegedly involved in selling fake luxury goods. Fake watches were seized. Picture: NewsWire Handout Officers allege the group used social media sites to sell fake high-end clothing, shoes, handbags and watches, moving an estimated $9.75m in profits through various bank accounts. Strike Force Alcova detectives swooped on properties in Fairfield East, Merrylands and Guildford, on Wednesday, locating nine cars including Lamborghinis worth about $3m, more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, $270,000 in cash, and a gel blaster firearm. Organised Crime Squad commander Detective Superintendent Peter Faux compared the raided properties to a store. 'We seized an extremely large amount of fraudulent items, counterfeit items across the three premises,' he said. 'It was quite interesting. These three premises look like you're inside a department store.' A gel blaster firearm was discovered. Picture: NewsWire Handout $270,000 in cash was also seized. Picture: NewsWire Handout Three men - two aged 30 and one 33 - were arrested and taken to Granville Police Station. They were charged with multiple offences including concealing proceeds of a crime and participating in a criminal group. All three were refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday. Three men were arrested. Picture: NewsWire Handout Police said the arrests sent a clear message to organised crime groups profiting off online deception. 'We will allege these individuals built a multimillion-dollar empire by deceiving consumers and undermining legitimate businesses,' Superintendent Faux said. 'Behind the filters and followers was a sophisticated criminal enterprise exploiting digital platforms to sell counterfeit luxury goods. 'This kind of organised crime will not go unchecked. The NSW Police Force, working closely with the NSW Crime Commission, has not only arrested those responsible but are actively targeting the profits they've made illegally.' NSW Crime Commission executive director Darren Bennett added the operation had uncovered a significant stockpile of assets. 'The evidence suggests this criminal group stockpiled significant wealth – vehicles, cash, and luxury goods – through the sale of counterfeit items. These assets are now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission,' he said. 'We've commenced proceedings to recover millions of dollars, with the aim of returning that money to the people of NSW. This is a clear example of how financial investigations can strike at the heart of organised crime.' Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. Amelia Swan Journalist Amelia Swan joined News Corp as a cadet reporter in 2024. Amelia Swan
News.com.au
19-06-2025
- News.com.au
Lamborghinis, fake watches and $10m in cash: Social media scam busted in police sting
Police have busted a $10m counterfeit luxury goods ring, seizing nine luxury cars, hundreds of fake designer items, cash, and a firearm in sweeping raids across western Sydney. Organised Crime Squad detectives arrested three men in the early-morning raids sparked by an extensive investigation into an organised criminal syndicate allegedly involved in selling fake luxury goods. Officers allege the group used social media sites to sell fake high-end clothing, shoes, handbags and watches, moving an estimated $9.75m in profits through various bank accounts. Strike Force Alcova detectives swooped on properties in Fairfield East, Merrylands and Guildford, on Wednesday, locating nine cars including Lamborghinis worth about $3m, more than 500 counterfeit luxury items, $270,000 in cash, and a gel blaster firearm. A 30-year old in Fairfield East, a 33-year old in Merrylands and a 30-year-old in Guildford were arrested and taken to Granville Police Station. The 30-year old Fairfield East man was charged with multiple offences including concealing proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group. The 33-year-old man from Merrylands was charged with similar offences and the 30-year old from Guildford was also charged with failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction. All three were refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Local Court later on Thursday. Organised Crime Squad commander Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said the arrests sent a clear message to organised crime groups. 'We will allege these individuals built a multimillion-dollar empire by deceiving consumers and undermining legitimate businesses,' he said. 'Behind the filters and followers was a sophisticated criminal enterprise exploiting digital platforms to sell counterfeit luxury goods. 'This kind of organised crime will not go unchecked. The NSW Police Force, working closely with the NSW Crime Commission, has not only arrested those responsible but are actively targeting the profits they've made illegally.' NSW Crime Commission executive director Darren Bennett added the operation had uncovered a significant stockpile of assets. 'The evidence suggests this criminal group stockpiled significant wealth – vehicles, cash, and luxury goods – through the sale of counterfeit items. These assets are now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission,' he said. 'We've commenced proceedings to recover millions of dollars, with the aim of returning that money to the people of NSW. This is a clear example of how financial investigations can strike at the heart of organised crime.'
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS The astonishing story behind this purple Lamborghini seized by NSW police in Sydney
NSW Police have charged three men after uncovering a syndicate allegedly responsible for selling counterfeit luxury goods worth nearly $10million via social media. The arrests follow an extensive investigation under Strike Force Alcova, launched by the State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad Unexplained Wealth Team in collaboration with the NSW Crime Commission. The syndicate is accused of distributing fake designer clothing, watches, shoes, and handbags, while laundering millions in profits through multiple bank accounts. Police allege the group used social media platforms to market and sell the counterfeit items, generating approximately $9.75million in illicit revenue. Police executed three search warrants in in Fairfield East, Merrylands and Guildford. During the raids, officers seized nine vehicles valued at around $3million including a purple Lambo, over 500 counterfeit luxury items, $270,000 in cash, and a gel blaster firearm. Three men were arrested at the respective locations and taken to Granville Police Station. The 30-year-old Fairfield East man faces multiple charges including dealing with proceeds of crime, concealing criminal proceeds, and participating in a criminal group. The 33-year-old Merrylands man was charged with similar offences, while the 30-year-old Guildford man also faces a charge for failing to comply with a digital evidence access order. All three were refused bail and are scheduled to appear in Parramatta Local Court today. Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, Commander of the Organised Crime Squad said the arrests send a strong message to criminal networks. 'We will allege these individuals built a multi-million-dollar empire by deceiving consumers and undermining legitimate businesses,' he said. 'Behind the filters and followers was a sophisticated criminal enterprise exploiting digital platforms to sell counterfeit luxury goods.' NSW Crime Commission Executive Director Darren Bennett praised the operation, highlighting the seizure of tainted assets. 'The evidence suggests this criminal group stockpiled significant wealth through the sale of counterfeit items. These assets are now under the control of the NSW Crime Commission,' he said. 'We've commenced proceedings to recover millions of dollars, with the aim of returning that money to the people of New South Wales.'
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- News.com.au
Chilling CCTV footage of moment John Versace gunned down at Condell Park home
Chilling CCTV footage has emerged of the moment a young tradie was gunned down in the driveway of his family home in Sydney's southwest in what police have called a 'brutal execution'. The footage shows the moment John Versace was ambushed in the driveway of his home on Dalton Ave in Condell Park, where he lived with his parents and two sisters, on Monday evening. A figure dressed in black can be seen exiting a silver Toyota SUV and quickly approaching Mr Versace, who was getting out his ute parked in front of his home. A man can be heard yelling 'Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey … stop, stop', before numerous gunshots ring out on the quiet suburban street. Police believe Mr Versace was hit at least four times. The gunman returns to the silver Toyota, which quickly flees the scene. Emergency services were called to the home but they could not revive Mr Versace. His devastated family could be heard screaming and wailing as police established a crime scene. A short time later, police were called to Blackford St in Fairfield East after reports a car 'very similar' to the one used in the attack had been torched. The car was 'well alight' by the time emergency crews arrived. The flames were soon extinguished, but police were able to locate a small 'Glock-style' gun in the vehicle. 'What I can say in this very early stage is that the victim and the holdings that we have on the victim and his family is that he is not known to police,' Superintendent Rodney Hart told reporters this week. Superintendent Hart said a taskforce had been established to further investigate the incident. Police believe Mr Versace was a plumber and possibly working in his father's business, and do not believe he had links to organised crime despite the nature of the attack. They are investigating whether the tragedy was a case of mistaken identity. 'We believe that this has the hallmarks of a targeted execution – very brutal, very distressing,' Superintendent Hart said. 'So, I want to reassure the community that we are treating this not as a random attack, but what I will ask from our community here is – please, anybody that has any information to assist the investigators to please call Bankstown Police Station or Crime Stoppers.' Mr Versace's sister Deanna Versace paid tribute to her 'beautiful baby brother' on Tuesday. 'John, no words can describe the pain we are all feeling and will continue to feel for the rest of our lives,' she wrote on social media. 'You were the world's greatest brother, son, grandson, cousin, and friend. 'We are so lucky and blessed to have had the time we had with you but your life was cut too short. 'This world wasn't good enough for you. Life will never be the same.'
