Police Seize Illegal Gun During ‘Operation Zero’ in Norwood

Security forces launched a massive operation dubbed “Operation Zero” in the Norwood Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) on Wednesday, aiming to maintain a murder-free year within the area for 2025.

The operation, which began around 4:00 a.m., is part of a broader initiative designed to ensure zero murders occur within the Norwood and Mount Salem zones. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ainsley McCarthy, who serves as ground commander for the ZOSOs, the initiative seeks to replicate the success achieved in 2024, when Norwood recorded zero murders for the entire year.

“Last year we had a zero murder year and we intend to keep it that way for this year,” McCarthy stated. While the Mount Salem ZOSO recorded one murder last year, the goal for 2025 is to eliminate all homicides across both zones.

During Wednesday’s operation, a 9mm Glock pistol equipped with a modification chip that enables automatic firing was recovered from beneath an abandoned building. Alongside the weapon, lead sheets commonly associated with lottery scamming were also found.

Though no arrests were made related to the pistol, a separate discovery of nine 9mm cartridges at another location led to the detention of two individuals. Several men taken into custody during the operation will be interviewed, with charges to be laid if warranted.

The operation primarily targeted areas along Wugga Lane, Bluebell Crescent, and surrounding zones. DSP McCarthy emphasized that maintaining a zero-murder rate is a testament to the effectiveness of the ZOSO initiative and the cooperation of community residents.

“For the entirety of last year, anybody who knew Norwood before the Zone of Special Operations would know that for a given year you would have between 20 and 30 murders in the space. Last year, we had zero murders and so it is a testament that the Zone of Special Operations is working and the citizens are quite satisfied,” McCarthy said.

According to McCarthy, residents are supportive of the initiative and have expressed satisfaction with the heightened security presence, noting improvements in safety and economic stability.

“When you talk to the persons, they express their joy at having the zone here because economically the value of some of their houses have gone up… We had persons who had run away before the zone started who are now coming back to occupy their premises,” he explained.

The security forces plan to continue their efforts under Operation Zero, with further operations expected to ensure the safety and well-being of residents throughout the year.