NSW: Police uncover cache of military weapons, police uniforms
01 May 2009 7:11 PM
SYDNEY, May 1 AAP - An arsenal of military weapons, bulletproof vests and police uniforms have been uncovered in a raid on a Sydney unit linked to outlaw bikie gangs, police say.
The bomb squad is currently at the unit in Belgrave Street, Kogarah, in Sydney's south, where a safe containing "suspicious items" has been found, police say.
Detectives from NSW Police and the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) raided the unit at 7.30am (AEST) on Friday, uncovering a cache of weapons including a Thompson submachine gun, a fully automatic AK47 assault rifle, several handguns, Tasers and ammunition.
Ballistic vests, ballistic helmets, a ramming device, night vision goggles, police uniforms and a police badge were also found.
Detectives from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad arrested a 20-year-old man at a cafe in Kent Street in the CBD about 1pm (AEST).
He is being questioned at St George Police Station.
St George Local Area Commander Detective Superintendent Helen Begg said the seizure was significant.
"Community safety is a No.1 priority for police and weapons such as these can prove fatal in the wrong hands," she said in a statement.
"The possession of illegal weapons and drugs is a crime and the NSW police force will remain committed to targeting these offences."
Detectives from the gang squad were also involved in the raid.
"As a result of the Australian Crime Commission's intelligence and focus on amphetamine markets, the ACC identified high volume pseudoephedrine sales and assisted in identifying the premises raided by NSW Police," police said in a statement.
