Mark Morrie
The Daily Telegraph
April 1 2014
The pair were swept up in a series of early morning raids today along with Sam’s sister Maha Sayour. Police also seized 13 weapons resulting from the six-month undercover operation in western Sydney.
De Marco, 55, has been charged with 27 counts including supplying a pistol to an unauthorised person, supplying ammunition, supplying a prohibited firearm and supplying a prohibited weapon.
Ibrahim, 45, was charged with four counts related to the supply of a pistol to an unauthorised person, conspiracy to commit an offence – supplying a firearm to an unauthorised person and supplying a prohibited firearm which is subject to a prohibition order.
They have been refused bail and are due to appear at Blacktown Local Court via audio visual link today.
Sayour, 43, was charged with conspiracy to commit offence – supply firearm to person unauthorised to possess.
She has been refused bail and is due to appear at Wollongong Local Court today.
Investigations are continuing and further arrests are expected.
Ibrahim’s solicitor, Brett Galloway, said his client was unlikely to make a bail application.
”I’ve not yet seen the facts ... these are serious charges and these things need to be given great consideration,’’ Mr Galloway told Fairfax.
Following extensive inquiries, police from North West Metropolitan Region, assisted by specialist units, executed six simultaneous search warrants at Windsor, Greystanes, Londonderry, Castlereagh, St Marys and Warilla, about 6.15am today.
Police allege that during today’s search warrants, investigators located and seized five firearms, various calibres of ammunition, illicit drugs and steroids.
Investigations are continuing and further arrests are expected.
Police say a total of 18 illegal weapons have been seized during the investigation.
The 18 seized weapons - which included an M1 military assault rifle, shotguns, semi-automatic pistols and bullets - are being examined to see if they were used in any shootings in Sydney over the past three years.
”When you look at some of the guns, you shake your head and wonder what that firepower would do if it got into the wrong hands,’’ Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford told a press conference.
”This will no doubt put a significant dent in the organised sale of illegal firearms in western Sydney, but we’re sure there’s a lot more out there.’’
He expects more arrests over the alleged syndicate.
The 13 guns bought in October were all purchased in western Sydney, though police believe the sales syndicate also operated in the Illawarra region.
The M1 assault rifle is a military-issued gun and cannot be legally bought by licensed gun owners.
Strike Force Bootle was established by detectives from Penrith Local Area Command in October 2013 to investigate the sale of illegal firearms in Sydney’s west
