The alleged target of a "kill team" police intercepted yesterday in a dramatic arrest on the streets of south-west Sydney is a figure linked to organised crime who was targeted over a "breakdown" in a transnational crime syndicate, police say.
Three men were charged after police allege they attempted to carry out an organised crime killing near a daycare centre.
The men were arrested yesterday in dramatic scenes in Revesby as tactical officers fired shots at several vehicles.
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Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook at a press conference this morning confirmed police used non-lethal rounds and that there was no risk to the public.
"In our view, there was never any risk to the public because we were controlling the situation," Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, who led the operation, said.
Police have now said two men, aged 18 and 19, were arrested from a Mitsubishi Outlander and a third man, aged 26, was arrested from a nearby Mercedes-Benz.
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Officers also seized two pistols, balaclavas, body-worn cameras, and jerry cans containing fuel.
Multiple search warrants were carried out in the city's south-west overnight, and Cook said more evidence, including electronic devices, had been seized.
An earlier police release said a third firearm had also been seized in the searches.
The three men were charged with multiple offences, including conspiracy to commit murder.
They were refused bail and will appear in court today.
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Police will allege the three men were on their way to attempt to kill a man near a daycare centre in the city's south-west.
Faux said the trio's behaviour and actions – including allegedly wearing balaclavas in the car and driving with false plates – indicated to police the significance of the operation.
Cook said the potential victim was targeted as part of a breakdown in a transnational crime syndicate.
"We believe this is an internal matter in this organisation," he said.
He said it was of "significant concern" to police that the accused would-be killers were unconcerned about the potential collateral damage of a public shooting near an unspecificed daycare centre.
Faux said the three men did not know the person they were targeting.
"They are people who were hired by a syndicate, possibly an offshore syndicate, to carry out this murder on their behalf," he said.
'Heard some gunshots'
The dramatic arrest took place when police, including tactical officers, swooped on the cars on The River Road in Revesby.
A police officer was seen aiming a weapon at somebody inside the vehicle.
"We heard some gunshots going off," one witness said.
"I started walking out my house, heard more gunshots and then cars swerving."
Tactical police temporarily served as traffic cops as they redirected vehicles while arresting the men.
A few hundred metres away, the occupant of another car was dragged out of their vehicle.
They were arrested shortly after.
Police today firmly denied suggestions the operation posed a danger to the public.
Cook said the NSW Police tactical unit was possibly "the best in the country" and had prepared multiple contingency plans depending on how the alleged hit team acted.
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