SYDNEY — Police charged a 31-year-old Bass Hill resident with terrorism-related offenses after finding violent extremist material on a mobile phone taken from his car during a New Year’s Eve traffic stop.

Officers from the Raptor Squad and Traffic and Highway Patrol stopped the man driving a Toyota sedan on Dargan Street in Yagoona on Dec. 31, 2023. A search turned up drugs, cash and three mobile phones inside the vehicle, according to New South Wales police.

Investigators arrested the driver and took him to Bankstown Police Station. There, they charged him with supplying prohibited drugs, dealing with proceeds of crime and using a non-compliant vehicle. He received conditional bail and appeared in court on Jan. 1, 2024.

Forensic examination of one phone revealed extremist content. That discovery prompted a raid on the man’s Bass Hill home around 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Officers seized additional mobile phones, storage devices and a knife during the search.

Police then arrested him again. This time, they charged him with using a carriage service to possess violent extremist material and possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, police said.

The man won bail. He must return to Bankstown Local Court on March 3.

Authorities have not released the man’s name or details about the extremist material. The case stems from routine patrol work in Yagoona, a southwestern Sydney suburb. Raptor Squad officers target high-risk areas for drugs and organized crime.

The initial stop exposed a broader investigation. Drugs and cash pointed to possible trafficking. The phones unlocked the terrorism angle.

New South Wales police emphasized public safety in their statement. “Ongoing inquiries will continue,” a spokesperson said. No threats to the community have been reported.

Terrorism charges in Australia carry severe penalties. Possession of extremist material under federal laws can lead to up to seven years in prison. The weapons charge adds further scrutiny.

Bankstown Local Court handles initial appearances for such cases. Prosecutors will outline evidence there. The man remains on bail conditions, which police did not specify.

This incident highlights how everyday policing can uncover national security issues. Traffic stops rarely lead to terrorism probes. Yet officers’ vigilance paid off here.

Local residents in Bass Hill and Yagoona expressed surprise. The area sees typical suburban life, with occasional crime reports. No prior terrorism links surfaced publicly.

Police raids in Sydney often target extremism. Recent years saw several arrests tied to online radicalization. This case fits that pattern, though details stay limited.

The March 3 court date looms. Expect more revelations then. Prosecutors must prove the material’s nature and the man’s intent.