Sword Boys
 | This article may need to be rewritten to comply with Wikipedia's quality standards. (July 2016) |
| Founded | 1990s |
|---|---|
| Founding location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Territory | Perth, Western Australia |
| Ethnicity | Lebanese Australians |
| Activities | Drug trafficking |
Sword Boys is a street gang in Perth, Western Australia, consisting mostly of Lebanese Australians,[1][2] that has been known to authorities since mid-1990s.[3][4] Gang members have been reported to wear a miniature gold scimitar on a chain around their necks.[5][6]
Sword Boys has been responsible for amphetamine and ecstasy distribution in Western Australia,[7] and has also been linked to car rebirthing by Western Sydney gangs, where stolen cars are stripped and reassembled.[2]
2014 arrests
[edit]In 2014 brothers Ziad Jneid and Rabih Jneid were arrested and charged as part of a drug syndicate coordinating the distribution of drugs (4 kg [8.8 lb] of crystal methamphetamine) across the Perth metropolitan area. They were charged with conspiracy to sell or supply a prohibited drug. Two other men also charged with supplying a prohibited drug.[8][9] Ziad Jneid has repeatedly denied any role in a Lebanese mafia operating in Perth called the Sword Boys.[10]
2016 convictions
[edit]On 31 August 2016, Ziad Jneid and Rabih Jneid were convicted and sentenced by the Perth District Court after both pleading guilty before trial for their roles in the supply of almost 2 kg (4.4 lb) and almost 1 kg (2.2 lb), respectively, of methylamphetamine in 2014. Ziad Jneid received fourteen-and-a-half years' imprisonment and Rabih Jneid received 15 years' imprisonment. Both were described as being upper-echelon drug suppliers motivated by greed. The brothers have links to a notorious Perth Asian street gang jailed for their involvement in the 2013 extortion of a karaoke bar.[11][12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Gangland explosion". The West Australian. 2 February 2002. Retrieved 27 June 2007. [dead link]
- ^ a b Ben Martin and Ben Harvey (2 February 2002). "Gang alliance: Bikies, young thugs join forces". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 7 February 2002. Retrieved 27 June 2007.
- ^ Ray Halligan (26 August 2004). "Police, Government Policy and Initiatives". Legislative Council of Western Australia Hansard. Retrieved 27 June 2007. [dead link]
- ^ Media speculation on WA tensions
- ^ Martin, Ben (10 May 2003). "Police Bust Street Gang Over Drugs". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 29 May 2003. Retrieved 27 June 2007.
- ^ "WA cops bust street gang with OMC links over drugs". Oz Biker. 14 March 2003. Retrieved 27 June 2007.
- ^ Michelle Roberts, Minister for Police and Emergency Services (13 May 2003). "Gang Violence". Western Australia Legislative Assembly Hansard. Retrieved 27 June 2007. [dead link]
- ^ Ducey, Liam (29 May 2014). "WA Police crack Perth methylamphetamine supply chain". watoday. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ Wahlquist, Calla (29 May 2014). "Organised crime raids seize 4 kg methylamphetamine, $380,000 cash – four charged". Perth Now. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
- ^ Adshead, Gary (29 May 2014). "Islamic chief firearms charge". The West Australian. Retrieved 29 May 2014.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Menagh, Joanna (31 August 2016). "Perth brothers jailed for more than 12 years for drug dealing business". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ Farcic, Elle (31 August 2016). "Meth brothers jailed over sophisticated drug dealing business". The West Australian. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
Further reading
[edit]- "Is street gang violence getting out of control?". ABC Stateline. 11 February 2005. Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2006.