A sophisticated illegal firearms manufacturing ring operating across Sydney’s southwest has been dismantled following a high-stakes police operation that uncovered a cache of untraceable weapons and industrial-grade assembly equipment.
Detectives from Strike Force Lamm have charged two men with a combined 17 offenses after a series of coordinated raids in Bardwell Park, Kingsgrove, and Arncliffe. Both men were refused bail in court today as police continue to investigate the reach of the alleged criminal network.
The Arncliffe ‘Factory’
The breakthrough in the investigation came in the early hours of Wednesday morning when tactical police stormed a property on Forest Road in Arncliffe. Inside, they allegedly uncovered a clandestine firearms factory equipped with an industrial-sized CNC Mill and high-resolution 3D printers.
Police allege the facility was being used to produce Privately Made Firearms (PMFs)—commonly known as "ghost guns." These weapons lack serial numbers, making them impossible to track through traditional law enforcement databases. Investigators seized a significant quantity of specialized components at the site, including:
- Semi-automatic rifle barrels and steel receivers
- Dozens of 3D-printed pistol magazines and slides
- Bulk quantities of live ammunition
Coordinated Raids and High-Speed Intercept
The operation, which began on Tuesday morning, saw police execute warrants at multiple locations. At a unit in Bardwell Park, officers allegedly seized an unregistered .38 calibre Smith & Wesson revolver and 169 rounds of ammunition, leading to the arrest of a 39-year-old man.
A subsequent search of a Kingsgrove storage facility revealed a "significant cache" of high-powered weaponry, including an AR-15 assault rifle and an SKS semi-automatic rifle.
Later that evening, the operation shifted to Narellan, where a white Toyota Hiace van was intercepted on Somerset Avenue. Supported by Polair and the Dog Unit, officers searched the vehicle and allegedly found a duffle bag containing two "ghost guns" and six silencers, alongside $4,300 in suspected criminal proceeds. The 29-year-old driver was taken into custody at the scene.
A ‘Significant Blow’ to Organized Crime
Strike Force Lamm was established following a string of public shootings across Sydney's southwest in late 2025. Authorities believe the dismantling of this manufacturing hub has removed a primary source of high-capacity weaponry from the black market.
"The presence of silencers and high-capacity magazines in our suburbs is a direct threat to public safety," a police spokesperson said. "These are not tools for collectors; these are tools for organized violence."
Legal Proceedings
The 39-year-old Bardwell Park man appeared before Sutherland Local Court facing 11 charges, including participating in a criminal group and failing to keep firearms safely. The 29-year-old Narellan man appeared before Campbelltown Local Court charged with six offenses, including possessing more than three unregistered firearms and acquiring prohibited parts without authority.Both defendants were refused bail to reappear at a later date. Investigations into the digital source of the 3D-printing blueprints are ongoing.
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