Sydney drug bust: Police, DEA smash transnational syndicate
THREE men have been charged following a joint-agency investigation into alleged conspiracies to import more than $250 million of illicit drugs into Australia.
Strike force detectives, with the assistance of the Tactical Operation Unit, arrested two men at a warehouse at Alexandria, just before 11am yesterday.
A short time later, a third man was arrested outside a home at Coogee.
A 37-year-old Coogee man was charged with two counts of import a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, and direct activities of criminal organisation.
The 60-year-old Strathfield man and a 64-year-old Lilyfield man were also charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
All men have been refused bail to appear at Waverley, Central, and Newtown Local Courts respectively later today.
The maximum penalty for import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs is life imprisonment.
Following the arrests, strike force investigators executed five search warrants at Coogee, Lilyfield, Regents Park, Strathfield, and Zetland, where they seized more than $500,000 cash, ice, mobile phones, and items relevant to the investigation.
A 24-year-old woman was arrested at the Zetland property and charged with deal with property proceeds of crime.
She was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court in January 2018.
Investigators working closely with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and the Australian Federal Police, intercepted 313kg of methylamphetamine (ice) in Panama on 26 October 2017.
This was the largest single-seizure of ‘ice’ in Panamanian history.
Police will allege in court the drugs, which have an estimated potential street value of $133 million, were destined for Australia.
Further investigation revealed an alleged conspiracy to import 300kg of cocaine, which has an estimated potential street value of $120 million, from South America to Sydney.
“Over the past 12 months, NSW Police Force — in partnership and co-operation with local and international law enforcement and intelligence agencies — has uncovered some sophisticated attempts to bring narcotics through our borders and onto the streets of Sydney,” Det Ch Supt Smith said.
“Our joint investigations have ensured these attempts were only attempts; tonnes of these harmful substances have been seized and countless members of criminal syndicates arrested and put before the courts.
“International co-operation in law enforcement and intelligence is not new, but our relationships are stronger than ever, allowing us to reach across the globe to target any crime that may impact on the people of NSW,” Det Ch Supt Smith said.
Source:
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/n...e/news-story/cc04fae453cc7f76af43d45dc72bd337