SAPOL, Australian Border Force seize $1.6m of cocaine, $500k in joint sting

Three men have been arrested after police seized $1.6m of cocaine and half a million dollars cash in a drug sting in Adelaide’s western and northeastern suburbs.

Three men have been arrested after police seized large amounts of cocaine and cash at various places in Adelaide’s west and northeast.

On Thursday, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers and detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Branch (SOCB) searched a Fulham Gardens property and found almost 4kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $1.6m.

After searching other properties in the western and northeastern suburbs, police also seized $504,000 in cash, as well as four vehicles and two motorcycles allegedly used in the trafficking of illicit drugs.

Cocaine with an estimated street value of $1.6m seized by police in a western suburbs drug sting on Thursday. Picture: SA Police

Soniard Mrishaj, 37, of Findon; Ilirjan Kolaj, 28, of Seaton and David John Thomas Rickersby, 24, of Broadview were arrested and charged with attempting to traffic a large commercial quantity of controlled drugs.

The men appeared in Adelaide Magistrates court on Friday and applied for home detention bail. All three were remanded in custody until next Friday pending completion of home detention bail inquiry reports.

SOCB Detective Acting Superintendent Denise Gray said the arrests were a joint effort between SAPOL and ABF.

“These arrests and seizures are another example of SAPOL working together with Australian Border Force, Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Federal Police to apprehend people who attempt to import large amounts of illicit substances [to] South Australia that cause great community harm,” Supt Gray said.

“It is an example of the determination of the SAPOL Serious and Organised Crime Branch to bring these offenders to justice and confiscate their assets.”

Police are urging anyone with information about the investigation to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperssa.com.au.