A 31-year-old man has been charged with terrorism offences after violent extremist material was allegedly discovered on a mobile phone seized during a vehicle stop in Sydney's south-west. This development follows an initial arrest on drug-related charges from the same incident, highlighting a multi-faceted police investigation.
Initial Vehicle Stop and Drug Charges
On December 31, police pulled over a Toyota sedan on Dargan Street in Yagoona, located in Sydney's south-west. During the stop, officers allegedly seized drugs, cash, and three mobile phones. The 31-year-old man was arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station.
He was charged with supply of a prohibited drug greater than a small quantity but less than an indictable quantity, recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime under $5000, and using a light vehicle that did not comply with standards. After fronting the Bail Division Local Court on January 1, he was granted conditional bail.
Discovery of Extremist Material
Following the vehicle stop, police examined the three seized mobile phones. On one device, they allegedly found violent extremist material, prompting further investigation. As a result, NSW Police executed a Commonwealth warrant at a home in Bass Hill on Wednesday.
During this raid, multiple phones, storage devices, and a knife were allegedly seized. The same 31-year-old man was arrested again and taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he faced additional charges.
Terrorism and Weapon Charges
The man was charged with using a carriage service to possess violent extremist material and possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit. He was granted conditional bail after appearing at Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday and is scheduled to return to court on March 3 for further proceedings.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat both drug-related crimes and terrorism threats in urban areas. The combination of charges reflects a broader strategy to address multiple facets of criminal activity through coordinated police actions.
