Three men have been charged after heavily armed officers foiled an alleged organised crime hit on a man near a daycare centre in Sydney‘s south-west.
Police allege three men were identified mobilising to carry out an offence during a routine surveillance operation in Condell Park on Tuesday afternoon and sought assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit, Pol Air, Dog Squad and State Intelligence Command.
A Mercedes sedan and a Mitsubishi SUV, were subsequently stopped several hundred metres apart on The River Road at Revesby, bringing peak hour traffic to a standstill.
Dramatic footage captured police wearing helmets and ballistic vests as they bashed on the sides of the Mercedes sedan while an officer appeared to point a gun directly at an occupant.
Police were seen directing traffic away from the crowded intersection as officers dragged two men from that car.
Police allegedly located and seized two firearms, balaclavas, body worn cameras, and jerry cans containing fuel in the vehicles.
A third firearm was located during subsequent searches of vehicles and premises allegedly linked to the men.
Three men aged 18, 19 and 26 were arrested at the scene.
The two teens were each charged with conspiracy to commit murder, possess unauthorised pistol, be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, participate in a criminal group and breach of bail.
The third man, 26, was charged with conspiracy to commit murder and participate in a criminal group.
They were all refused bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday.
Police will allege that he men were en route to attempt a hit on a man in the vicinity of a daycare centre.
‘This was a calculated and coordinated intervention that stopped what we will allege was a planned killing nearby a daycare centre – a deeply concerning scenario,’ State Crime Commander, Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook said.
‘This outcome reflects the strength of our intelligence capabilities and the precision of our surveillance operations. These individuals were being watched, and we moved at the right moment.
‘Strike Force Flodine is part of State Crime Command’s broader strategy to dismantle organised crime networks operating across Sydney, and these arrests are that strategy in action.
‘We remain committed to protecting the community from serious and organised crime, especially when it threatens everyday spaces where families expect to feel safe.’
More to come
Tactical police are pictured swarming a Mercedes in Revesby traffic on Tuesday afternoon