May 17, 2022- 1:53 p.m.
Australia – A high-ranking bikie boss has been charged as police crack down on organised crime groups across Sydney, with two people arrested on the way to the funeral of crime figure Mahmoud “Brownie” Ahmad.
State crime command director Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett confirmed the arrests were made on Saturday as people headed to Ahmad’s funeral.
“We’ve arrested over 250 people in Strike Force Hawk — [with] more arrests last night, [including] people arrested on the way to the funeral getting done for serious drug supply after a police pursuit,” he said.
A 35-year-old man from Belmore and a 36-year-old man from Mount Lewis were arrested after allegedly being found with the proceeds of crime and a large quantity of drugs.
They were both charged with multiple offences.
Police said more than 800 charges have been brought against approximately 250 people since October last year.
In that time, Chief Superintendent Bennett said, police had also seized almost 70 firearms and conducted more than 360 searches of gang members and their associates.
Chief Superintendent Bennett said the incidence of public place shootings was at its lowest-ever level, but State Crime Command was working to prevent high level drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping and retaliatory shootings between crime groups.
As part of the operation, 41-year-old national sergeant-at-arms of the Comanchero bikies, Tarek Zahed, has been arrested and charged with two counts of contravening a serious crime prevention order.
He is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, June 22.
In a separate arrest, a 50-year-old Bandidos member has been charged with firearms offences.
Along the way, cash, drugs and designer watches have been seized from multiple properties across Sydney.
