Latest news with #RaptorSquad
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Group of men extradited over alleged extortion attempt
Four men have been extradited after travelling interstate and allegedly holding two people hostage for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Police say a group of seven men linked to organised crime travelled from Sydney to Queensland's Sunshine Coast in April 2025 to surveil a 27-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman. The group and the 27-year-old man were known to each other, according to police. "It will be alleged that they were in a business operation, and that crime group believed that a debt (was) owed to them by this male person," Detective Inspector Chris Toohey told reporters on Monday. The group allegedly broke into a Sunshine Coast home on April 10 and took the man and woman to another apartment in Maroochydore, where they were held hostage for hours. The pair were allegedly threatened with violence if they did not pay hundreds of thousands of dollars, but were not injured. "From our investigations, they were going to be held until they paid up the sum of money they required," Det Insp Toohey said. Police were alerted to the incident when concerned friends and family members reported the man and woman missing. When specialist police arrived, five men fled the scene as officers rescued the man and woman. Two men both aged 30 were arrested at the scene and later charged with deprivation of liberty and extortion with intent to gain benefit with threat of detriment. NSW Police's Raptor Squad executed search warrants on Thursday morning across Sydney's western suburbs where they arrested four men aged 27 to 32. The four men were extradited to Queensland on Friday, charged with deprivation of liberty and extortion with intent to gain benefit with threat of detriment. A fifth man will be extradited at a later date due to unrelated medical issues. The four men faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. Det Insp Toohey believes police have arrested all those responsible.
9 News
2 days ago
- 9 News
Raptor squad raid alleged Nomad bikie gang clubhouse in Sydney
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here An alleged Nomads' bikie club has been raided and dismantled in Sydney's south-west. The Raptor Squad in April commenced an investigation into the club's alleged illegal operation at a premises in Yennora. A search warrant was executed at on Friday, where police located 12 individuals allegedly identified as members and associates of the Nomads. The Raptor squad raid an alleged Nomad bikie gang clubhouse in Sydney (NSW Police) During the raid, officers located and seized ledgers, a quantity of cash, alcohol, and unlicenced bar equipment. (NSW Police) During the raid, officersv say they located and seized ledgers, a quantity of cash, alcohol, and unlicenced bar equipment. All individuals were issued warnings for consorting, and three defect notices were issued for two vehicles at the location, police said. A 41-year-old man was issued a Court Attendance Notice for possess or attempt to prescribe a restricted substance and will appear before Liverpool Local Court on July 9. Police located 12 individuals allegedly identified as members and associates of the Nomads. (NSW Police) Inquiries are ongoing under the Restricted Premises Act, Gaming and Liquor Administration Act and the Liquor Act with the potential for additional offences to be identified. national New South Wales Sydney crime CONTACT US Auto news:Is this the next Subaru WRX? Mysterious performance car teased.
ABC News
28-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Former Hunter rehab director accused of falsifying drug reports for alleged criminals
A former rehab facility director has been granted bail after pleading not guilty to perverting the course of justice by falsifying drug reports for accused criminals. Police arrested Ross Retini Pene, 68, at the Connect Global facility at Swan Bay in the NSW Hunter region on Wednesday. His arrest came after a year-long investigation into the facility by the State Crime Command's Raptor Squad North. Connect Global provided alleged criminals with alcohol and drug addiction rehabilitation services while they were on bail, before the facility closed in February. Raptor Squad officers charged Mr Pene with five counts of perverting the course of justice. He fronted Raymond Terrace Local Court on Wednesday where he pleaded not guilty to all charges. Police facts tendered to the court alleged Mr Pene issued fraudulent reports about the drug use of accused criminals staying at the facility. The accused men were required to be at the facility drug-free as part of their bail conditions. Mr Pene is a Christian pastor, and the founder and former director of Connect Global. In court on Wednesday, Magistrate Gregory Moore granted Mr Pene bail with strict conditions, including that "an acceptable person" put up $20,000 as a surety, with the money to be forfeited if bail conditions were breached. The New Zealand-born Mr Pene must also report to Raymond Terrace Police Station each Monday, Wednesday and Friday and surrender his passport. He cannot contact or go near any prosecution witness and must be of good behaviour. Mr Pene is due back in Raymond Terrace Local Court on June 10.
