SYDNEY: Australian police foiled an alleged organised crime hit by a so-called kill team near a Sydney daycare facility, authorities said Wednesday (Oct 9).
New South Wales police swooped in on two cars after learning three men were preparing to carry out the alleged killing in Revesby, a suburb in the city’s southwest, on Tuesday.
Police stopped two cars and arrested the men, finding two firearms, balaclavas, bodyworn cameras and jerrycans containing fuel during a search.
A third firearm was located during subsequent searches of vehicles and premises allegedly linked to the men.
Footage from Tuesday showed the two cars wedged between police vehicles as authorities moved in on the alleged offenders brandishing firearms.
The cars’ windscreens were pocked with bullet holes.
One witness, who did not wish to be named, told Australia’s Channel Nine he heard the gunshots and went to investigate.
“I started walking out of my house and I heard some more gunshots and then cars were swerving,” he said.
Police Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook said authorities had been investigating a transnational crime network “believed to be involved in multiple conspiracies to murder” for several weeks.
Police allege the victim was targeted due to a breakdown in relationships within the syndicate, he said. The trio of men reportedly did not know the victim.
