Sword Boys

Sword Boys
Founded1990s
Founding locationPerth, Western Australia
TerritoryPerth, Western Australia
EthnicityLebanese Australians
ActivitiesDrug 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

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

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

  1. ^ "Gangland explosion". The West Australian. 2 February 2002. Retrieved 27 June 2007. [dead link‍]
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Ray Halligan (26 August 2004). "Police, Government Policy and Initiatives". Legislative Council of Western Australia Hansard. Retrieved 27 June 2007. [dead link‍]
  4. ^ Media speculation on WA tensions
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "WA cops bust street gang with OMC links over drugs". Oz Biker. 14 March 2003. Retrieved 27 June 2007.
  7. ^ Michelle Roberts, Minister for Police and Emergency Services (13 May 2003). "Gang Violence". Western Australia Legislative Assembly Hansard. Retrieved 27 June 2007. [dead link‍]
  8. ^ Ducey, Liam (29 May 2014). "WA Police crack Perth methylamphetamine supply chain". watoday. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Adshead, Gary (29 May 2014). "Islamic chief firearms charge". The West Australian. Retrieved 29 May 2014.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ Menagh, Joanna (31 August 2016). "Perth brothers jailed for more than 12 years for drug dealing business". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
  12. ^ Farcic, Elle (31 August 2016). "Meth brothers jailed over sophisticated drug dealing business". The West Australian. Retrieved 26 March 2018.

Further reading