Updated ,first published
Two men have been charged following a large-scale police operation at the Entertainment Quarter in Sydney’s eastern suburbs sparked by reports of a man carrying a gun.
Two men, aged 35 and 39, were arrested and police seized an imitation firearm.
NSW Police allege one of the men was “wearing a vest and carrying a firearm”.
An image released by police also shows a police badge, a ballistic vest with the US flag, and a cardboard box marked “hard drugs”. Plastic handcuffs were also seized, police said.
Police swarmed the precinct about 4.45pm on Monday. Multiple vehicles were seen speeding down Driver Avenue at Moore Park, past the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sydney Football Stadium.
People were urged to avoid the area, but police said there was no ongoing threat to public safety after the two men were arrested about 5pm and taken to Surry Hills police station.
The 35-year-old man was charged with possessing an unregistered, unauthorised pistol in a public place and behaving in an offensive manner. He was refused police bail and is due to face court on Tuesday.
Police allegedly located an amount of prohibited drugs during a search of the 39-year-old man. He was charged with possessing a prohibited drug and granted conditional bail, and is due to face Downing Centre Local Court on August 20.
Footage posted to social media showed dozens of officers, including police in tactical gear, near restaurants on Bent Street where the arrest appears to have taken place.
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Jack Gramenz is a breaking news reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.From our partners
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