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NSW police target bikies in gun blitz

The bikie-busting cops of Strikeforce Raptor have been searching for weapons and leads during a major gun blitz across 18 Sydney locations.

Sophie Moore
Australian Associated PressJuly 27, 20183:29pm

A "powerplay" between outlaw bikie gang members has triggered a major gun blitz by NSW Police with streets placed in lockdown as officers swooped on nearly 20 properties across Sydney's west and southwest.

The bikie-busting cops of Strikeforce Raptor have spent the week quizzing neighbours and searching homes and cars for weapons across more than a dozen suburbs.

Homes of rival bikie members involved in an internal feud were among the 18 properties targeted in the search.

Deputy Commissioner Jeff Loy on Friday said the operation was triggered by a surge in gun-related violence during the past three weeks.

Two men were shot outside a Merrylands McDonald's in the early hours of Wednesday in what police believe was a targeted shooting.

A man has also been charged over a recent homicide - the seventh shooting death in NSW this year.

"A lot of the firearms' prohibitions operation is linked to the McDonald's shooting," Mr Loy told reporters in Sydney.

A powerplay between rival bikie gangs was behind the spike in shootings, he said, adding drugs were likely involved.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell said the aim of the sweep was to send a "message" to the gangs.

Officers gathered information during the raids and issued several firearms prohibition orders, Mr Thurtell said.

Two people were also charged on Tuesday relating to a weapons cache seized in April during raids targeting the Comanchero's outlaw motorcycle gang.

The arsenal allegedly including a Mac 10 and a CZ "Skorpion" semi-automatic pistol.

 

 

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