NSW Police charge four men after $1.5m in cash, cocaine, meth seized in Strathfield

Three brothers and fourth man appear in court as police bust what they allege was a drug syndicate operating in the “upper echelon” of Sydney’s organised crime.

$1.5 million cash and drugs were seized in the raids, and four men arrested. pictures: NSW Police

Three brothers have been arrested and $1.5 million in cash seized as police busted what they allege was a drug syndicate operating in the “upper echelon” of Sydney’s organised crime.

Adam, 18, Ahmed, 28 and Amim Chami, 35, and their close associate Ismail Hares, 23, were all arrested in Sydney’s west on Sunday over their alleged role in the drug syndicate.

In a car stop and raids at Strathfield police allegedly found 3.5kg of cocaine, 2kg of methylamphetamine, 2L of methylamphetamine oil, 140g of MDMA and cannabis, steroids and the whopping amount of cash.

NSW Police Organised Crime Squad Commander Peter Faux said it would be alleged the four men had a “hands-on” role in the drug syndicate’s operations and that the drugs seized were likely to be shared with other crime clans.

“The amount of drugs that were seized, the cash and firearms, and money counting machines would indicate they are involved in organised crime,” Detective Superintendent Faux told The Daily Telegraph.

Ahmed Chami. Picture: Supplied

Ismail Hares. Pictures: Supplied

“They work together now organised crime (groups). They identify different resources each group has and tap into it.

“I would definitely say gone are the days of organised crime groups acting in a silo. There’ll always be conflict in and around different networks, but they see the benefit of working together – they have tried to become more like businesses.”

Large wads of cash were seized. Picture: NSW Police

Along with multiple bags of drugs. Picture: NSW Police

Sunday’s arrests by Strike Force Polle began with the stopping of the car on Mintaro Ave in Strathfield in which Hares and Ahmed Chami were riding about 3.40pm.

Inside their vehicle police allegedly found 2.4kg of cocaine and $24,000 cash.

Police charged Hares with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, while Ahmed Chami was charged with that offence and also knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

A short time later, just one street over on Hunter St, officers raided several properties where they uncovered the $1.5m in cash and more drugs.

Some of the drugs were contained in luxury designer boxes. Picture: NSW Police

The gun found at one of the homes. Picture: NSW Police

One of the arrestees. Picture: NSW Police

Stashes of cash amounting to an eye-watering figure of $1.5m were seized during the operation. Picture: NSW Police.

At one of the homes on the street they arrested Adam and Amim Chami.

Adam was charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity, and three counts of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

His older brother Amim was charged with those same offences, but only one count of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

In addition to the cash and drugs, the bust by Strike Force Polle also saw two ballistic vests, a firearm and ammunition, two hydraulic presses and three cars seized.

The three Chami brothers and Hares’ matters were all mentioned in Burwood Local Court on Monday, with none making applications for bail and all remanded in custody.

The arrest of the four men came two days after the arrest of a woman as part of the same Strike Force Polle investigation.

Shahrzad Shakourof, 35, was arrested during at a Wentworth Point home on Friday, where police also alleged seized 3.2kg of ice and $10,000 cash.

She was charged with large commercial drug supply and knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime.

Shakourof faced Parramatta Local Court on Saturday where she was refused bail.