GUNMAN OPENS FIRE ON POLICE

A GUNMAN opened fire on police in Sydney's south-west last night in another
firearms incident which police believe may be connected to control of drug
distribution and prostitution in the region.In last night's shooting, two
uniformed police were patrolling in Telopea Street, Punchbowl, in a marked
police car at about 11pm when a gunman opened fire, police said today.

Two or three rounds whizzed past their patrol car, fired from somewhere
along the street, a police statement said.

The officers involved, a constable and a senior constable, called for
back-up, sparking a police search of the area.

Although the gunman was able to elude the dragnet, and no spent rounds were
found, the police search did uncover a cannabis and amphetamines cache
hidden nearby.

NSW Premier Bob Carr and Police Commissioner Peter Ryan have both recently
identified Lebanese gangs as being at the epicentre of a turf war in the
region.

Police believe the prize sought in this latest underworld dispute is
control of drug distribution and prostitution in the south-west.

More than 40 shootings across the south-west since last October, including
at least one fatality, prompted police to set up the 25-detective strong
Operation Portville.

Outbreaks of violence have extended from the Bankstown area to Cabramatta,
Sydney's major source of high-grade heroin.

Police fear that following successes against Vietnamese drug distribution
networks in recent years, fledgling Lebanese crime syndicates may be trying
to muscle in on their weakened rivals.