$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.