Federal police have revealed the caravan filled with explosives found on the side of the road in north-western Sydney was a “fake terrorism plot” that aimed to cause fear in the Jewish community, but there was no risk of a mass casualty event.
Police launched several raids this morning in relation to recent antisemitic attacks and arrested 14 people who were charged with 49 offences.
While giving an update on the arrests, Australian Federal Police revealed that the caravan that was found full of explosives in Dural in January was an attempt driven by organised criminals to threaten the Jewish community rather than stage a terror attack.
“Almost immediately (after the caravan was found), experienced investigators within the joint counter-terrorism team believed that the caravan was part of a fabricated terrorist plot, essentially a criminal con job,” AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said.
“This was because of the information they already had, how easily the caravan was found and how visible the explosives were in the caravan. Also, there was no detonator.
“Today, I can reveal the caravan was never going to cause a mass casualty event but instead was concocted by criminals who wanted to cause fear for personal benefit.”
Barrett said while the plot was not aimed at causing casualties, it was still a sinister crime.
“Regardless of the motivation of those responsible for this fake plot, this has had a chilling effect on the Jewish community,” she said.
“This twisted, self-serving criminality has terrorised Jewish Australians.
“What organised crime has done to the Jewish community is reprehensible, and it won’t go without consequence.
“There was also unwarranted suspicion directed at other communities – and that is also reprehensible.
“This is a rare time I will provide advice to criminals – serve your time quietly in prison and stop diverting the resources of terrorism investigators – otherwise your charges could be significantly upgraded.”
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson said all of the arrests made this morning were linked to other antisemitic crimes across Sydney rather than the caravan plot, but that there are significant links between the two.
“The caravan job, as I indicated, was orchestrated by the same individual or individuals that were orchestrating the (other) incidents,” he said.
While no one has been arrested or charged in direct relation to the Dural caravan, police said they believe they know who was behind the plot.
“This person who we allege is pulling the strings is known to organised crime, known in the organised crime environment… we have a number of ongoing targets, some are based in Australia, some based offshore,” Barrett said.
She added there was no evidence to suggest state actors were involved.
Hudson said no one arrested had displayed “any form of antisemitic ideology”.
“However, the threat to the community through the use of arson and the presence of explosives was very real,” he said.
“I understand the anxiety these incidents have had on the Jewish community who we have been in constant contact with.
“We don’t believe there is any ongoing threat to the community from a terrorist act.”
