Ex-Rose Tattoo drummer, Sam Ibrahim and sister arrested for alleged gun-running
Police say they have put a significant dent in the sale of illegal firearms in Western Sydney following dawn raids this morning.
Officers stormed six properties simultaneous, arresting Nomads bikie boss Sam Ibrahim, his sister Maha Sayour and former Rose Tattoo drummer Paul DeMarco.
Search warrants were executed at Windsor, Greystanes, Londonderry, Castlereagh, St Marys and Warilla, around 6.15am.
Strike Force Bootle was set up in October last year following a spate of shootings in Sydney’s west.
Today detectives seized five guns, various calibres of ammunition, drugs and steroids.
An M1 military assault rifle and 17 other guns were seized during the six-month long investigation.
An undercover detective infiltrated the alleged syndicate in October and bought 13 guns.
The weapons are being examined to see if they were used in any of the hundreds of shootings in Sydney over the past three years.
"When you look at [the weapons] you shake your head and wonder what that fire power would do if it fell into the wrong hands," Assistant Police Commissioner Denis Clifford said.
"It just goes to show that people who deal in illegal firearms in my view, couldn't care where they end up, whether they are used in murders, robberies, some form of intimidation, public place shootings."
"We are sure there are a lot more out there. We have been able to infiltrate that network and we've had an operative who has actually purchased those firearms," Assistant Police Commissioner Denis Clifford said.
Ibrahim, 45, DeMarco, 55, and Sayour, 43, were taken to Penrith and Oak Flats Police Stations.
The trio have been described as "significant players" in the alleged syndicate, and have been charged with multiple firearms offences.
Officers expect to make more arrests.
Despite the hundreds of shootings in the past three years, there have been relatively few fatalities, though many of the incidents have been brazen and innocent people have been caught up in the violence.
A 62-year-old man, believed to be an innocent bystander, was shot in the chest at Merrylands last week and remains in critical condition.
Police are urging anyone with information about illegal firearms sales to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800333000.
