Four Suspected Gang Members Detained
Media Release - DPS 60/2003
Four suspected Big Circle gang members were detained in Sydney on Tuesday after Immigration officers assisted the NSW Police South East Asian Crime Squad.
In addition, two students from the People's Republic of China are also facing visa cancellation and a further three are being investigated as a result of the operation.
The four suspected gang members were detained following a visit to a restaurant in Chullora. The South East Asian Crime Squad, acting on community information, entered the restaurant and found about 25 suspected gang members inside. They then called for assistance from Immigration officials.
One of the four men was located as he tried to escape through the back door of the restaurant and was detained by police. He is suspected of having been previously removed from Australia under a different identity and is now in jail. He was remanded in police custody and appeared in Bankstown Court yesterday where he was refused bail and will appear again on 8 September.
Two of the men were detained when they presented false identity
papers, one of whom has since been confirmed as an unlawful non-citizen.
The fourth man was detained as an unlawful non-citizen. These three
have been taken to Villawood Immigration Detention Centre while
arrangements are made for their removal.
Immigration officials also identified five people holding student
visas. Two have been issued with Notices of Intention to Cancel
their visas, and the other three are currently being investigated
to ensure that they are bona fide students.
The Department's combined actions with NSW Police in relation to the Big Circle Gang have resulted in the location of 72 people of interest and the cancellation of 30 student visas. These joint activities have covered a range of businesses and residential addresses frequented by Big Circle gang members, including Karaoke bars, brothels, nightclubs and restaurants.
4 September 2003