weekender the western
Printed on 100% recycled paper
FRI 4 APR 2014 • Issue 1147
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
Business
Final home game
Advice, tips and profiles on the best local businesses p.28-29
Major weapons bust More arrests expected after police infiltrate illegal gun syndicate KATHERINE TWEED
End of Daylight Savings p.16
Buns raise funds Tomorrow is Bundraiser Day p.23
P
enrith detectives have infiltrated an alleged illegal weapons syndicate in western Sydney, seizing 18 weapons and making three arrests so far. At 6.15am on Tuesday, dozens of police officers conducted six simultaneous raids on properties in Windsor, Greystanes, Londonderry, Castlereagh, St Marys and Warilla, seizing five firearms, “thousands” of rounds of ammunition, illicit drugs and steroids. 45-year-old Sam Ibrahim, his 43-year-old sister Maha Sayour from Wentworthville and 55-yearold Greystanes man, Paul DeMarco, were arrested and charged – all three are now before the courts. “We will allege that these people are part of an organised network selling illegal firearms throughout western Sydney. They are significant players, we allege, in this network,” said Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford at Penrith Police Station on Tuesday. The arrests came after a six month investigation, called Strike Force Bootle, coordinated by detectives at Penrith, who infiltrated the ring. A detective from Penrith successfully purchased 13 weapons through the alleged syndicate. “[The amount and diversity of weapons seized makes you] shake your head and wonder what that fire power would do if it fell into the wrong hands,” Assistant Commissioner Clifford said. The weapons include a variety of hand guns (both revolvers and semi automatic), pistols, shot guns and rifles including an M1 assault rifle, which was located on Tuesday to the “great concern” of police.
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Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford addresses the media in Penrith. Photo: Melinda Jane
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Wanderers take on Brisbane p.38
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