Ex-Eels players charged after guns, cash seized in dramatic CBD park arrests

Two former Parramatta Eels players have faced a Sydney court, accused of harbouring semi-automatic weapons and possessing more than half-a-million dollars in cash.

Dozens of family members wept as Aukuso Junior Paulo, 34, and Royce Hura, 27, were denied bail at Waverley Local Court today.

Mr Paulo previously played for the Eels, before signing with St George Illawarra Dragons for the 2010 season, moving to the Penrith Panthers in 2011.

Mr Hura is understood to have also played with the Eels during their 2010 season.

Both men are now facing serious charges of participating in organised crime, after a series of dramatic arrests at Centennial Park, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Police swooped on the men after an extensive investigation by the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad.

Seven sharp cracks could be heard across the park, as a mother’s group dined at a near-by cafe.

Police said no shots were fired during the operation and the noises were caused by a "tactical device".

Police searched two large vehicles, seizing a self-loading semi-automatic Smith and Wesson pistol, a self-loading semi-automatic Beretta gun, ammunition and almost $650,000 in cash.

Mr Paulo’s eyes welled as he mouthed words of comfort to his family from in the dock.

His lawyer made no application for bail, and it was formally refused.

Mr Paulo’s partner fled court after the brief mention, shielding her face from the waiting media with a black scarf.

Both men will face Central Local Court on Tuesday 19 December.

A third man also facing weapons, and organised crime charges is expected to appear at Waverley Local Court on Thursday.