Specialist police charge seven people in Sydney’s west during two-day investigation

Specialist police have stormed a notorious lane in Sydney’s west in a two-day high-visibility operation to disrupt alcohol and drug related crime in the area.

Officers from the anti-bikie, highway and dog squads charged seven people and issued 26 infringements in Parramatta on Friday and Saturday for brawls, drink driving, knives in public place, and bail breaches.

More than 1220 roadside breath tests and 24 drug tests were conducted in a laneway at the entrance to the Meriton Suites complex, with at least 125 people and 30 vehicles searched.

Footage released by NSW Police shows officers pulling over cars, seizing cash, frisking a group of men’s pockets and dogs sniffing through vehicles.

NSW Police footage shows officers frisk searching a group of men during the two-day high-visibility operation in Parramatta’s CBD

The first arrest was made about 7pm Friday when officers spotted a 34-year-old man with an outstanding warrant for affray. He was released on bail to front court next week.

Half an hour later, a 31-year-old woman driver a Honda Accord was stopped for a breath test on Dirrabarri Lane.

She returned a negative result, but was handed an infringement notice after officers allegedly unearthed a knife in her dashboard during a search of her car.

About 9.40pm on the same Parramatta CBD lane, a 49-year-old man was allegedly found with a stolen driver’s licence.

He was arrested and charged with goods in personal custody suspected being stolen and breach of bail. He was released to face court on Thursday.

At 12.30am, a 29-year-old man allegedly blew over the limit with a reading of 0.165 during a roadside breath test.

He was issued a Court Attendance Notice for high range drink driving to appear Wednesday.

Police charged seven people and issued more than 125 infringement notices on Friday and Saturday

Later that evening, police came across a group of men brawling in the same lane about 9pm.

A 25-year-old man was handed an infringement notice for offensive conduct after he allegedly became aggressive and yelled at officers when they intervened.

Minutes later, a group of people exited a minibus on Dairrbarri Lane and a brawl allegedly broke out between two men. A 27-year-old man was charged with affray and bailed to face court next week.

‘We have seen more incidents of anti-social behaviour in recent months and we want people to be able to feel safe and not have to worry about street-level crime in the neighbourhood,’ Parramatta commander Superintendent Julie Boon said.

‘Parramatta is a vibrant community and operations like this put police on the front foot to prevent crimes occurring.

‘The results demonstrate a significant disruption to local crime in the area and we will continue to work in collaboration with our specialist units in an effort to decrease anti-social behaviour and drug and alcohol-related violence.’

Specialist police searched more than 125 people (one pictured) and upwards of 30 vehicles