Latest news with #GranvillePolice
The Australian
18 hours ago
- 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
Daily Mail
a day ago
- 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.'
