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Man arrested as part of ongoing International drug trafficking investigation - Organised Crime Squad
Tuesday, 13 September 2016 12:11:39 AM
***Editors Note: Vision of yesterday’s arrest is available via Hightail:https://www.hightail.com/download/cUJYTGt5SWVCTW1LRmNUQw
Another man has been arrested as part of joint investigation into drug trafficking and money laundering by the NSW Police Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad together with the NSW Crime Commission and assisted by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, has been investigating alleged money laundering of a criminal syndicate since August 2011 under Strike Force Fairlawn.
In late 2014, strike force officers uncovered alleged drug trafficking between Mexico, the United States and Australia and since then, have been working closely with the San Diego Field Office of the FBI.
Four men, now aged 33, 55, 56, and 66, were arrested in Australia and a 34-year-old man was arrested in San Diego, California, in September 2015 and charged with various offences. They are currently still before the courts.
Investigations undertaken in the United States resulted in the arrest and charge of a further 22 people in January this year. It is alleged 10 of those charged were involved in trafficking to Australia.
Following further investigations by members of the Organised Crime Squad and the FBI, a 21-year-old man was arrested at Bronte, about 5.30pm yesterday (Monday 12 September 2016).
He was taken to Waverley Police Station and charged with importing commercial quantity of border controlled drug (cocaine) contrary to Section 307.1 of the Criminal Code Act (Cwlth)1995; and committing an offence for the benefit of, or at the direction of, a criminal organisation contrary to section 390.5 of the Criminal Code Act (Cwlth)1995.
He has been refused bail to appear at Waverley Local Court later today (Tuesday 13 September 2016).
Commander of the Organised Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent Scott Cook, said the results of Strike Force Fairlawn is further demonstration of the high-level of cooperation between the FBI and the NSWPF in combating transnational organised crime activities such as drug trafficking and money laundering.
“I would like to personally thank the NSW Police Force detectives and intelligence officers, the NSW Crime Commission analysts, and the US FBI Agents who have been central to this investigation over the past five years,” Det Supt Cook said.
“Their dedication and cooperation over a long period of time has led to a very successful outcome, the dismantling of a transnational criminal network that has been impacting the NSW community for a long time.
“The Organised Crime Squad will continue to work in a collaborative way with its partner agencies, both in Australia and overseas, in order to combat long-term established criminal networks and groups,” Det Supt Cook said.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric S. Birnbaum of the San Diego Field Office commented, “The FBI is committed to ongoing, collaborative work with our international law enforcement partners to mitigate threats that cross our borders and affect our communities.
“Today’s arrest is a powerful example of the impact made by the hard work and cooperation of the NSWPF and the FBI in combating transnational organized crime.”
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