New South Wales police swooped in on two cars after learning the men were preparing to carry out the alleged hit in Revesby, a suburb in the city’s southwest on Tuesday.

Police stopped two cars and arrested the men, finding two firearms, balaclavas, bodyworn cameras and jerry cans containing fuel during a search.

A third firearm was later located during subsequent searches of vehicles and premises allegedly linked to the men.

Police said they will allege the “kill team” were en route to attempt a hit on a man near a daycare centre.

“This was a calculated and coordinated intervention that stopped what we will allege was a planned killing nearby a daycare centre – a deeply concerning scenario,” Police assistant commissioner Scott Cook said.

“This outcome reflects the strength of our intelligence capabilities and the precision of our surveillance operations,” he said.

“These individuals were being watched, and we moved at the right moment.”

Footage from Tuesday afternoon showed the two cars littered with bullet holes, with one vehicle appearing to have mounted a pedestrian crossing before coming to a stop.

The men were charged with a string of offences, including conspiracy to commit murder and participating in a criminal group. The trio were refused bail and will appear in court Wednesday.