Mark Tyson
Member
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/15/1068674432934.html
Thousands of pistols seized in raids
By Alex Mitchell, Amy Lawson and Jim O'Rourke
November 16, 2003
The Sun-Herald
Killer punch ... The haul of key-ring-sized pistols yesterday indicated there had been a 'frightening development' in Sydney's gun culture.Photo: Tamara Dean
It's as small as a cigarette lighter. But it packs a killer punch.
Police yesterday revealed they had discovered a frightening haul of key-ring-sized pistols after a series of raids across Sydney.
They also announced they had found a huge number of gun parts - indicating that a crime syndicate was manufacturing and about to distribute up to 2500 of the mini-guns.
A worrying 813 ready-made weapons, each worth $1500 on the black market, were seized.
The key-ring guns can be used at short range and usually are discarded after one firing. They can be loaded with two .32 calibre bullets and are fired by pressing a button.
Australian Crime Commission Detective Superintendent Mark Jenkins said inquiries were continuing to determine whether the guns and the parts had been imported.
NSW Premier Bob Carr yesterday warned of a "frightening development" in Sydney's gun culture.
The raids, which included searches at homes on the South Coast, netted 753 illegal firearms and spare parts.
Mr Carr praised police for the haul, which has a street value of $4.6 million and is believed to be the single largest seizure of illegal firearms in Australia.
The haul from eight locations included two handguns, a machine-gun, and a number of stun guns.
Jubilant police said they had "smashed" a large illegal firearms syndicate that was about to sell these weapons to criminals.
Despite his triumphant mood, the Premier conceded he was disturbed by the discovery of weapons parts.
"This is a frightening new development because all the guns up until now have been 100 per cent imported," he said.
He said the successful raids proved NSW police had the resources, powers and numbers to fight the criminal syndicates believed responsible for the escalating gun violence and revenge killings which have haunted his Government.
"It vindicates my faith in the capacity of police to bear down on the crime that we've seen in Sydney's south-west," Mr Carr said.
Police made a series of raids across Sydney on Friday after an intensive four-month investigation by the NSW Police Firearms and Regulated Industries Crime Squad, the Australian Crime Commission and the NSW Crime Commission.
Seven people were arrested during the simultaneous raids, and six people came before a court yesterday.
Six houses, a rural property and commercial premises were raided at Kareela, Kingsgrove, Brighton, Merrylands, Campsie, Bexley North, The Oaks and Thirroul.
Mr Carr applauded the raids saying: "This is a terrific breakthrough.
"Make no mistake about it, this is a major victory in the fight against illegal firearms and the criminals who traffic in them," he said.
Five men and one woman appeared in Parramatta Bail Court yesterday charged with firearms offences following the police raids.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Brendan Searson said the key-ring pistols located in the raids could be for use in an "assassination attempt" or "any offence where concealment would be needed".
Police allegedly found 220 guns as well as ammunition in the garage of one couple's home.
Mike Tsanis, 48, and Sue Tsanis, 43, appeared in court charged with two offences in relation to the sale and possession of prohibited firearms.
Both were refused bail.
A further 18 key-ring pistols were allegedly located in the wardrobe of another home during a police search warrant conducted on Friday.
John Simos, 55, was charged with three offences in relation to the possession and unlawful sale of firearms and ammunition.
Sergeant Searson said Simos was "a main player in these series of offences", which carry a 20-year maximum term.
Simos's application for bail was denied by Registrar Brian Fenn.
Three other men - Kenneth Graham Levy, 51, Steven Geoffrey McNally, 40, and Joseph Zammit, 55 - who also came before the court charged with firearms offences in relation to the raids, did not apply for bail. They remained in custody and their hearing was adjourned to Central Local Court tomorrow.
Thousands of pistols seized in raids
By Alex Mitchell, Amy Lawson and Jim O'Rourke
November 16, 2003
The Sun-Herald
Killer punch ... The haul of key-ring-sized pistols yesterday indicated there had been a 'frightening development' in Sydney's gun culture.Photo: Tamara Dean
It's as small as a cigarette lighter. But it packs a killer punch.
Police yesterday revealed they had discovered a frightening haul of key-ring-sized pistols after a series of raids across Sydney.
They also announced they had found a huge number of gun parts - indicating that a crime syndicate was manufacturing and about to distribute up to 2500 of the mini-guns.
A worrying 813 ready-made weapons, each worth $1500 on the black market, were seized.
The key-ring guns can be used at short range and usually are discarded after one firing. They can be loaded with two .32 calibre bullets and are fired by pressing a button.
Australian Crime Commission Detective Superintendent Mark Jenkins said inquiries were continuing to determine whether the guns and the parts had been imported.
NSW Premier Bob Carr yesterday warned of a "frightening development" in Sydney's gun culture.
The raids, which included searches at homes on the South Coast, netted 753 illegal firearms and spare parts.
Mr Carr praised police for the haul, which has a street value of $4.6 million and is believed to be the single largest seizure of illegal firearms in Australia.
The haul from eight locations included two handguns, a machine-gun, and a number of stun guns.
Jubilant police said they had "smashed" a large illegal firearms syndicate that was about to sell these weapons to criminals.
Despite his triumphant mood, the Premier conceded he was disturbed by the discovery of weapons parts.
"This is a frightening new development because all the guns up until now have been 100 per cent imported," he said.
He said the successful raids proved NSW police had the resources, powers and numbers to fight the criminal syndicates believed responsible for the escalating gun violence and revenge killings which have haunted his Government.
"It vindicates my faith in the capacity of police to bear down on the crime that we've seen in Sydney's south-west," Mr Carr said.
Police made a series of raids across Sydney on Friday after an intensive four-month investigation by the NSW Police Firearms and Regulated Industries Crime Squad, the Australian Crime Commission and the NSW Crime Commission.
Seven people were arrested during the simultaneous raids, and six people came before a court yesterday.
Six houses, a rural property and commercial premises were raided at Kareela, Kingsgrove, Brighton, Merrylands, Campsie, Bexley North, The Oaks and Thirroul.
Mr Carr applauded the raids saying: "This is a terrific breakthrough.
"Make no mistake about it, this is a major victory in the fight against illegal firearms and the criminals who traffic in them," he said.
Five men and one woman appeared in Parramatta Bail Court yesterday charged with firearms offences following the police raids.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Brendan Searson said the key-ring pistols located in the raids could be for use in an "assassination attempt" or "any offence where concealment would be needed".
Police allegedly found 220 guns as well as ammunition in the garage of one couple's home.
Mike Tsanis, 48, and Sue Tsanis, 43, appeared in court charged with two offences in relation to the sale and possession of prohibited firearms.
Both were refused bail.
A further 18 key-ring pistols were allegedly located in the wardrobe of another home during a police search warrant conducted on Friday.
John Simos, 55, was charged with three offences in relation to the possession and unlawful sale of firearms and ammunition.
Sergeant Searson said Simos was "a main player in these series of offences", which carry a 20-year maximum term.
Simos's application for bail was denied by Registrar Brian Fenn.
Three other men - Kenneth Graham Levy, 51, Steven Geoffrey McNally, 40, and Joseph Zammit, 55 - who also came before the court charged with firearms offences in relation to the raids, did not apply for bail. They remained in custody and their hearing was adjourned to Central Local Court tomorrow.
