Six men, including two teenagers, who were charged in Sydney after loaded guns were allegedly found in a car, were likely “contract killers”, police say.
Police investigating a shooting at a home on Loura Street in Tallawong in the city’s north-west on November 27 have charged the men, who are aged between 16 and 25.
Police stopped a taxi carrying a 16-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man on Old Windsor Road in Old Toongabbie.
Police allegedly found and seized a number of illegal items. (NSW Police)
The pair allegedly tried to run when the innocent driver stopped, but were arrested.
Police allegedly found two loaded guns, a cloned number plate and a “dedicated encrypted criminal communication device” in the car.
Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy alleged the group was likely hired by criminal organisations.
He said the pair were on their way to a home in Rouse Hill to commit a “further serious violent act involving firearms”.
“We were actively searching for people who were involved in the original shooting [at Tallawong], and at that, we were monitoring this group,” he said.
“We believe, after receiving information earlier yesterday, that we were required to intercept that vehicle and prevent any further acts of violence.”
Police have charged all six males. (NSW Police)
Later that morning when police arrived at the Rouse Hill home, three men allegedly ran.
A 17-year-old, an 18-year-old, and a 23-year-old were chased and arrested.
Police found four allegedly stolen cars with cloned number plates there, as well as live semi-automatic guns, more than 1000 rounds of high-calibre ammunition, several fake number plates and two stolen gun vests.
“That ammunition is obviously extremely dangerous,” Abdy said.
“This seizure certainly hinders that group and certainly dismantles that [alleged] criminal syndicate.”
Ammunition was allegedly found during the police operation. (NSW Police)
Police also stopped and arrested a 25-year-old man on Mountford Avenue in Guildford and allegedly found two phones, including one suspected encrypted device.
They searched another home on Talbot Street in Guildford and allegedly uncovered more criminal communication devices, ammunition and clothes.
The 16-year-old was charged with 11 offences, including two counts of possessing an unauthorised pistol and participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.
The 17-year-old and 18-year-old were also charged with 11 offences, including possessing more than three unregistered firearms, one is prohibited/pistol and participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.
The 20-year-old was charged with 13 offences, including participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity and hindering or resisting a police officer in the execution of duty.
Earlier this month, a 19-year-old was arrested over the Tallawong shooting. (NSW Police Force)
The 25-year-old was charged with participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.
The 23-year-old is alleged to have been involved in the shooting at the Tallawong home last month and was charged with 19 offences.
He and another 19-year-old man, who was charged over the shooting earlier this month, are alleged to be the pair who wielded a sledgehammer when they tried to force their way into the home on Loura Street.
One of the men allegedly tried to shoot at the home, but when the shot failed, threw a stun grenade inside.
The men then allegedly got another gun from their car and fired two shots at the property before driving away and later crashing.
The two people inside the Tallawong home were uninjured.
