Dural caravan: NSW Police find explosives in caravan; synagogue targeted
Dural caravan: NSW Police find explosives in caravan; synagogue targeted
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Everything you need to know
By Jessica McSweeney
A “potential mass-casualty event” was discovered at Dural 11 days ago when a caravan packed full of explosives was seized by police.
The public has only just been made aware of the potential act of terrorism after the news leaked to a Sydney newspaper.
Here’s everything you need to know:
A Dural local discovered and moved the abandoned caravan which was found on Derriwong Road on January 19. When the local looked inside and discovered explosives, they called police.
Inside the caravan police found a note with the address of a Sydney synagogue.
The amount of Powergel explosives discovered could create a 40-metre blast wave, police said. The explosives were likely stolen from a mining site.
Premier Chris Minns was briefed on the matter, however, police and the state government decided to withhold information about the potential “mass-casualty event” from the public. On Wednesday, the operation was leaked to the media.
Minns said the incident is likely an act of terrorism.
Two people arrested “on the periphery” of this investigation had already been arrested under Strike Force Pearl. The owner of the caravan has also been arrested, but has not been charged in relation to this incident and had previously been arrested for other alleged offending.
Police are still looking for those directly responsible for the incident, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson said.
Police executed a search warrant on a property located on Derriwong Road, Dural.Credit: TNV
Jewish community reacts
Sydney’s Jewish community has lived with the ongoing threat of vandalism over the past year, with the eastern suburbs targeted in multiple firebombings. The discovery of a significant amount of explosives has taken that threat to the next level.
“It goes without saying that this is a matter of the gravest possible consequence,” NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said.
Cars outside the former home of Jewish leader Alex Ryvchin which was firebombed earlier this month. Credit: Nine News
“We have been saying for weeks now that the Jewish community is the target of an ongoing campaign of domestic terrorism. This is now beyond dispute.
“We are engaging closely with law enforcement and the government in relation to this matter and the ongoing security of the Jewish community.”
Government, police defend keeping operation a secret
By Jessica McSweeney
Premier Chris Minns defended the decision by his government and police to keep news of the discovery from the public.
The discovery was made on January 19. It was announced 10 days later at a hastily convened press conference following the story leaking to the Daily Telegraph.
“The police made operational decisions in order to keep the public safe, to arrest those who are responsible for these terrible alleged acts, and to ensure that a full investigation can take place,” Minns said on 2GB radio.
Everything you need to know
By Jessica McSweeney
A “potential mass-casualty event” was discovered at Dural 11 days ago when a caravan packed full of explosives was seized by police.
The public has only just been made aware of the potential act of terrorism after the news leaked to a Sydney newspaper.
Here’s everything you need to know:
A Dural local discovered and moved the abandoned caravan which was found on Derriwong Road on January 19. When the local looked inside and discovered explosives, they called police.
Inside the caravan police found a note with the address of a Sydney synagogue.
The amount of Powergel explosives discovered could create a 40-metre blast wave, police said. The explosives were likely stolen from a mining site.
Premier Chris Minns was briefed on the matter, however, police and the state government decided to withhold information about the potential “mass-casualty event” from the public. On Wednesday, the operation was leaked to the media.
Minns said the incident is likely an act of terrorism.
Two people arrested “on the periphery” of this investigation had already been arrested under Strike Force Pearl. The owner of the caravan has also been arrested, but has not been charged in relation to this incident and had previously been arrested for other alleged offending.
Police are still looking for those directly responsible for the incident, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson said.
Police executed a search warrant on a property located on Derriwong Road, Dural.Credit: TNV