Investigations into one of Sydney's many recent shootings have led police to uncover a disturbing photo of a toddler holding a Glock-style pistol.
Esau Namoa was charged with 13 offences after a police raid at a property in Yagoona in the city's southwest early on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old is the younger brother of Alo-Bridget Namoa who was convicted in 2018 of plotting a terrorist act and once described herself and husband Sameh Bayda as a jihadi Bonnie and Clyde.
Esau Namoa was allegedly pictured holding weapons alongside the young child, who is believed by police to be about three-years-old.
Task Force Magnus Commander, Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Weinstein said the images were among the worst he had seen in his policing career.
"Quite frankly the images that were on this individual's phone are appalling and very disturbing," he said.
Last week police created Task Force Magnus to tackle escalating violence and underworld murders across Sydney.
The images of the toddler surfaced during investigations into the shooting death of 24-year-old Marvin Oraiha, who was gunned down in the driveway of his Elizabeth Hills home in May.
As part of their inquiries, in July police raided seven properties across Sydney and seized a number of items, including a ballistic vest, ammunition and six mobile phones.
Detectives located several images on the phones allegedly showing Namoa holding two pistols in the company of the child, who was holding a third pistol.
As a result police arrested Namoa and charged him with a string of firearms-related offences, including possessing an unauthorised pistol, not keeping a firearm safely, and supplying a pistol to a person unauthorised to possess it.
Under Task Force Magnus, police conducted over 300 inspections of known persons over the weekend, arresting 25 people on about 80 charges ranging from minor drug offences to possessing ammunition.
Minister for police and counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said those responsible for criminal activity on Sydney streets will feel the full force of the law.
“We’re already seeing results and Task Force Magnus is just warming up," she said.
“We will work with NSW Police to ensure they have everything they need to put an end to this senseless, intolerable violence and ensure the people of Sydney feel safe where they live.”
