BY DAKOTA TAIT
A Hunter man is one of 45 people arrested in connection to a crackdown on Sydney criminal networks this week.
Taskforce Erebus arrested 18 men across south-west Sydney on Tuesday, while specialist units across NSW targeted associate and facilitators of organised crime in the regions.
As part of that operation, officers executed a Firearm Prohibition Order search at a home on Seventh Street at Weston, about 7am on Wednesday.
During the search the occupant of the home, a 49-year-old man who is a member of the Life and Death Outlaw Motorcycle Group, was taken to hospital following a medical episode.
Police allegedly located a significant quantity of cannabis and declared a crime scene, before later executing a search warrant at the address.
Officers located and seized two rifles and a .22 calibre pistol, 350 rounds of ammunition, five gel blasters, an electronic stun device, almost 150 grams of methylamphetamine, 2kg of cannabis, $8,300 cash, and other items.
Upon release, the man was conveyed to Cessnock Police Station and charged with 33 offences, including supply prohibited drug and supply cannabis, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and 28 firearm-related offences.
He was refused bail and appeared at Cessnock Local Court on Thursday, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court next month.
Across the state, police arrested 45 people, seized eight firearms and more than 20 kilograms of MDMA and other prohibited drugs.
