International cocaine drug bust to Australia

Latest Media Releases

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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Kings Cross Police, Redfern Strike Force expose a pattern of crime in Woolloomooloo

Police search warrant for the underground bank of the alleged Nomads in the heart of Kings Cross will expose this system in crime.

Police officer of the year from Woolloomooloo and the drugs working out of Woolloomooloo is still a pattern from the Wood's Royal Commission days.....  Can't you smell a rat?  I can

Three charged, drugs and cash seized after search warrants across inner Sydney

Friday, 20 November 2015 04:46:44 AM

Editor’s note: Footage and stills of yesterday’s operation will be distributed via Hightail link when available. They will also be uploaded to NSW Police Force Facebook page.

Police have arrested three people and seized drugs, believed to be heroin and cocaine, and cash following extensive investigations into an alleged drug syndicate operating out of the Kings Cross area.

Officers will allege the group supplied prohibited drugs at least 328 times between 7 October and 14 November, mainly in the Woolloomooloo area.

The drugs allegedly supplied include heroin and cocaine, and were mostly supplied to those from a low socio-economic background.

Yesterday (Thursday 19 November 2015), police from the Kings Cross Drug Unit, with the assistance of the Redfern Drug Unit executed search warrants at Waterloo, Bondi and Woolloomooloo. At the Bondi address, cash was allegedly located in a bedroom being used by a teenager.

A 42-year-old man and two women, aged 38 and 54, were arrested after a hire car was stopped in Missenden Road at Newtown.

All three were charged with ongoing supply of a prohibited drug and participation in a criminal group.

A 42-year-old Bondi man was also charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime.

They were refused bail and will all appear in Central Local Court today (Friday 20 November 2015).

Inquiries are still continuing into the alleged drug supply in the Woolloomooloo area.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

2013-2014 Drug arrests

When we look at the Cannabis it is grown in Australia, the MAJOR SUPPLIER into Sydney has not been hit?  You tell me why?  

We have to look at some of the Cannabis busts have been for a few plants.  Yet this is a Medical herb for the sick and should be legalised because the major problem is the drug ice epidemic we have on the streets of Sydney and further.

Yet this gang that feeds the alleged drug ice is also importing guns for protection.  Protection from who?  Rat eat rat is the game they play.

The illicit drug report pulls together data from state and territory police units, as well as the Australian federal police (AFP) and the Customs and Border Protection Service. It finds authorities made more than 110,000 drug arrests in the 2013-14 financial year and seized a record 27 tonnes of illicit substances.
“Alarmingly, that is one arrest every five minutes and one seizure every six minutes,” Justice Minister Michael Keenan said. “There is no doubt that we are disrupting more criminals and detecting more illicit drugs than ever before but the illicit drug market still remains the principal source of profits for organised crime in Australia and continues to be a key focus for all of our law enforcement agencies.” The report, now in its 12th year, finds there were:
*Nearly 67,000 arrests for cannabis / over 7,000 kg seized
*More than 26,000 arrests for amphetamine-type stimulants / nearly 4,100 kg seized
*Nearly 2,800 arrests for heroin / 158 kg seized; and
*Over 1,450 arrests for cocaine / 317 kg seized.
Dawson noted a “market shift” in the demand for heroin, noting it is “not as high as it has been in previous years”.

Drug seizures at record level says Australian Crime Commission

Authorities made more than 110,000 drug arrests in the 2013-14 financial year, and seized 27 tonnes of illicit substances

THEGUARDIAN.COM|BY SHALAILAH MEDHORA

Ice becoming cheaper and purer in Victoria: Australian Crime Commission report Despite hundreds of millions of dollars being spent to stamp out the drug, ice is becoming cheaper and purer in Victoria. Save THE AGE - THEAGE.COM.AU · 47 SHARES ·14 MAY 2015

Strike Force Sylvia- results NSW Police Force

Media accompanying the police on drug raids? 

Daily Telegraph

41 mins · 

Seven men were arrested and almost 20kg of ice taken off the street after police performed a series of raids across the city. Dramatic pictures show the arrests with the men handcuffed and some lying face down on the carpark floor.

Police smash huge Sydney ice ring

DAILYTELEGRAPH.COM.AU

Seven arrested, clan lab discovered and more than 17 kg of meth seized as Organised Crime Squad investigation concludes

Friday, 15 May 2015 09:17:36 AM

Organised Crime Squad detectives have seized approximately 17 kilograms of methylamphetamine, arrested seven men and shut down an active clandestine laboratory following an operation in Sydney yesterday (Thursday 14 May 2015).

It was all part of Strike Force Sylvia, a long-running investigation by the Organised Crime Squad in conjunction with the NSW Crime Commission into money laundering offences and the commercial supply of ‘Ice’ (crystal methylamphetamine).

Early yesterday afternoon, officers arrested five men during a covert operation in a carpark at Zetland, seizing two kilograms of ‘Ice’ and four encrypted mobile devices.

The five men – a 31-year-old, a 23-year-old, a 22-year-old and two 21-year-olds – were taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with offences relating to large commercial drug supply and participating in a criminal group. All were bail refused to appear in Central Local Court today (Friday 15 May 2015).

Following the arrests at Zetland, five search warrants were executed at properties in Zetland (two properties), Pyrmont and Ryde (two properties), with an active clandestine drug laboratory located at one of the Ryde properties – a residential unit.

The property is now being processed by specialist officers from the Drug Squad’s Chemical Operation Team who have located approximately 10 kilograms of ‘Ice’ and five kilograms of methylamphetamine oil, in addition to more than 40 kilograms of restricted pre-cursor chemicals and a comprehensive arrangement of scientific equipment.

A 23-year-old man was arrested near the Ryde unit where the clan lab was located, while a 29-year-old man was arrested at the other Ryde property.

Both were charged with offences relating to commercial drug supply and participating in a criminal group, before being refused bail to appear before Hornsby Local Court today.

Yesterday’s search warrants also resulted in police seizing a further 12 encrypted mobile devices, cash, sim-cards and computers.

Strike Force Sylvia was established in early 2014 to investigate money laundering by transnational criminal networks impacting NSW, with a focus on the facilitators who enable organised crime activities to function.

Prior to yesterday’s operation, nine people had been arrested for serious money laundering offences, drug offences and some Commonwealth offences, and strike force officers had seized 1.5kg of ‘Ice’, small amounts of MDMA, ephedrine, ethylone and cannabis, and more than $700,000 cash.

The total results for Strike Force Sylvia include:

- 18.5 kilograms of methylamphetamine seized, with an estimated potential street value of $18.5 million;

- 16 people arrested;

- More than 40 kilograms of pre-cursor chemicals seized;

- More than $700,000 cash seized; and,

- More than 50 encrypted mobile devices seized.

Commander of the Organised Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent Scott Cook, said today’s operation brought to an end the investigations undertaken by Strike Force Sylvia.

“I would like to congratulate all of the police involved in SF Sylvia for their hard work and commitment,” Detective Superintendent Cook said.

“Officers from State Crime Command, four different local area commands, and specialist areas came together yesterday to resolve this long running investigation. The operations undertaken were seamless, safe and effective.”

Detective Superintendent Cook added that Strike Force Sylvia had not only been very successful in terms of the results it attained, it had also provided detectives with numerous insights into the complex systems and structures set up by organised criminals to hide and protect their black-market businesses and assets.

“The investigation has been highly successful in dismantling a criminal network that we will allege was involved in the manufacture of ‘Ice’, the trafficking of ‘Ice’, the laundering of money and the facilitation of organised crime,” Detective Superintendent Cook said.

“Following previous investigations by the Organised Crime Squad, which focused on large scale drug and precursor importation, Strike Force Sylvia was established to investigate those behind the scenes involved in organising and facilitating the criminal activity. The focus on money laundering enabled us to pick apart the network and take action against people for their different roles in the network.

“We have learnt a lot about money laundering through this investigation; it has highlighted the crucial role played by facilitators such as accountants, the role of modern communications, and the misuse of company structures.

“We have seen people attempt to carry hundreds of thousands of dollars cash in suitcases out of Australia; we have seen the proceeds of crime dispersed by accountants through company structures; we have seen proceeds of crime sent off shore through trade-based laundering schemes; and we have seen the extensive use of money remitters.

“The investigation has also highlighted how encrypted communications are being used and how the communications accounts are managed by crucial individuals assisting criminal networks.

“We are in a far better position to target money laundering offences now than 12 months ago, and are now better placed to impact and degrade the functioning of organised crime networks.

“The Organised Crime Squad will continue its work together with the NSW Crime Commission to strip the criminally acquired assets from people involved in organised crime activities such as these.”

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to organised crime to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

$27m Drugs, $4.3m cash seized. Qld and Melbourne connections DRUG BUST

Alleged system 60/40 split.  The 60% is allegedly transferred out of the country when sold, or on drug run.

Two charged, $27m drugs, $4.3m cash seized - NSWPF Organised Crime Squad, AFP and Australian Crime Commission

Wednesday, 11 March 2015 11:32:55 AM

Two men have been charged after a joint operation between the NSW Police Force’s Organised Crime Squad, Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) resulted in the drugs worth $27 million, $4.3 million in cash, and a firearm were seized.

Last month, officers attached to Strike Force Aldred and the ACC-led Eligo National Task Force commenced investigations into money-laundering activities in Sydney.

As a result of those investigations, two men – aged 41 and 25 – were arrested at Clyde Railway Station last Thursday (5 February 2015) after they allegedly exchanged a bag containing $200,000 cash.

A search warrant was then executed at a unit in Sydney’s CBD, where detectives from the Organised Crime Squad seized a further $4.1 million cash, as well as 25kg of methamphetamine (ICE), 2kg of cocaine, 300g of MDMA, 280 LSD tabs, cash counters and a .45 calibre six-shot revolver with ammunition.

The seized drugs have an estimated potential street value of $27 million.

The 41-year-old man – who is from Melbourne – has been charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime.

The younger man – from Queensland – was charged with two counts of knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, and supplying a commercial quantity of prohibited drugs.

Both men have been refused bail and will appear Parramatta Local Court on Thursday 19 March 2015.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner, Nick Kaldas, said this seizure demonstrated the commitment of police and partner agencies to crack down on organised crime.

“This is again a major breakthrough and a great example of what we can achieve with the seamless cooperation between law enforcement agencies,” Deputy Commissioner Kaldas said.

“We will not only arrest those who are involved in this type of organised crime but we are committed to going further and targeting their illicit profits and assets,” he said.

Australian Crime Commission acting Executive Director, Operations, Warren Gray, said intelligence was provided by the Eligo National Task Force, which tracks organised criminals through their illicit money flows.

“The seizure of methylamphetamine is particularly significant as it would have resulted in 250,000 individual hits,’ Mr Gray said.

“This is one of the most damaging drugs available in Australia, so to have more than 25kg removed before it hits our streets is a massive win for law enforcement, but more importantly, the Australian community,” Mr Gray said.

Forbes St Woolloomooloo Drug Bush

Man charged with drug offences - Woolloomooloo

Saturday, 07 March 2015 02:25:37 AM

A man will appear in court today over alleged illicit drug supply and possess offences, following a search warrant in Woolloomooloo yesterday.

Officers attached to Kings Cross Local Area Command have been investigating the supply of illegal drugs in the area.

Following investigations, about 11.30am yesterday, Friday 6 March 2015, police executed a search warrant at a home in Forbes Street.

It will be alleged that officers located cocaine and methamphetamine.

A 30-year-old man was arrested at the premises and taken to Kings Cross Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug and two counts of possess prohibited drug.

He was refused bail, to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 7 March 2015).

Police investigations continue.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Facebook report.

NSW Police Force

10 hrs · 

A man will appear in court today over alleged illicit drug supply and possess offences, following a search warrant in Woolloomooloo yesterday.

Officers attached to Kings Cross Local Area Command have been investigating the supply of illegal drugs in the area.

Following investigations, about 11.30am yesterday, Friday 6 March 2015, police executed a search warrant at a home in Forbes Street.

It will be alleged that officers located cocaine and methamphetamine.

A 30-year-old man was arrested at the premises and taken to Kings Cross Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug and two counts of possess prohibited drug.

He was refused bail, to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 7 March 2015).

Police investigations continue.

Woolloomooloo Heroin network Police arrest

Details have risen concerning a five-year-old boy who was allegedly used by his uncle as a drug mule to sell heroin in inner-city Sydney.

A child of approximately five years of age was used by a man to collect money for the drug transactions

DAILYTELEGRAPH.COM.AU

Latest Media Releases

Man to face court today accused of using a child in drug supply - Woolloomooloo

Tuesday, 30 December 2014 11:44:13 AM

A man will face court today after he allegedly used a young child to assist in the ongoing supply of drugs in the Woolloomooloo area.

Earlier this year Kings Cross Local Area Command established Strike Force Fairbairn, to investigate the supply of drugs in the Woolloomooloo area.

Police will allege that between 1 and 5 December 2014, they observed a 34-year-old man, supplying heroin to a male person on five separate occasions.

On three of the occasions, police will allege a child of approximately five years of age was used by the man to collect money for the transactions.

About 8am today (Tuesday 30 December 201), officers from Kings Cross Proactive Crime Team executed a search warrant at a home on Dowling Street where they arrested a 34-year-old man.

During the search warrant police seized a number of items related to the offences that will undergo forensic examination.

He was taken to Kings Cross Police Station where he was charged with ongoing supply of prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug (x5), and procure child under the age of 16 years to take part in the supply of a prohibited drug (x3).

He has been bail refused and will appear at Parramatta Local Court today.

The arrest is the fifth arrests as a result of Strike Force Fairbairn with 34 offences, including four ongoing drug supply offences.

Investigations into the supply of drugs in the area are continuing and police urge anyone with information to come forward. Police remind members of the public that they can remain anonymous.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Man charged with drug supply - Kings Cross

Tuesday, 30 December 2014 07:32:14 PM

A man has been charged with the alleged supply of methylamphetamine and MDMA following a police operation in Kings Cross.

Strike Force Fairbairn was formed to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Kings Cross Local Area Command.

As part of their investigations, police will allege a 22-year-old man supplied a prohibited drug from an address in John Street, Mascot, in November 2014.

The man, from Green Point, was today charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug and is due to appear in Waverley Local Court on Tuesday 10 February 2015.

Bankstown alleged control drug network exposed

Latest Media Releases

Bankstown was a supply link in the days of Abe Saffron, it is just 2 degrees away from where the drug network existed in the past.  

Three men arrested as meth supply syndicate dismantled - Polaris Joint Waterfront Taskforce

Friday, 31 October 2014 05:52:29 AM

Members of the Polaris Joint Waterfront Taskforce have arrested three men following an investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs by a man working for an international air cargo company.

In July 2014, the Polaris Joint Waterfront Taskforce formed Operation Apterous to investigate an air cargo company employee who was allegedly involved in the supply of methylamphetamine.

Around 3pm on Wednesday (29 October 2014), officers attached to the Polaris Joint Waterfront Taskforce arrested a 44-year-old Wattle Grove man near Bankstown.

A short time later, officers arrested a 48-year-old man at Beverly Hills and a 46-year-old man at Hurstville.

Following the arrests, search warrants were executed at homes in Wattle Grove and Narwee, and at a business in Hurstville.

Methylamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and electronic equipment were seized during the warrants.

The 44-year-old man was charged with ongoing drug supply and bail refused. He appeared in Burwood Local Court yesterday (Thursday 30 October 2014), where he was again refused bail to next appear on Wednesday 5 November 2014.

The 48-year-old man was also charged with ongoing drug supply and refused bail. He appeared in Kogarah Local Court yesterday, where he was again bail refused to next appear in Sutherland Local Court today (Friday 31 October 2014).

The 46-year-old man was charged with two counts of drug supply before being granted bail to appear at Kogarah Local Court on Tuesday 2 December 2014.

The Commander of the Polaris Joint Waterfront Taskforce, Detective Superintendent Nick Bingham, commended the officers attached to Operation Apterous for their outstanding investigative work.

“The Polaris officers working this case have delivered another excellent investigation, dismantling a drug supply syndicate involved in the distribution of methylamphetamine.

“Methylamphetamine is a drug that we see, daily, having an adverse impact on the community. In particular, it has a profound effect on the families of those who are addicted and the emergency workers who respond to methylamphetamine-related incidents,” Det Supt Bingham said.

The Polaris Joint Waterfront Taskforce comprises the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and Australian Crime Commission. It is one of three such multi-agency taskforces on the Australian east coast targeting serious and organised crime in the maritime sector and supply chain.