Fairfield cocaine bust: Julian Lee, Huan Chu to appear in court
Four men and one woman have faced court after cops seized $65m of cocaine in a series of raids. Officers also found guns, bundles of cash equalling around $200k and ammunition. More arrests are expected, cops warned
Central Sydney
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Five people have face court after $65 million worth of drugs bound for Sydney’s streets was seized by police in a series of arrests across the city.
Strike Force Irwine detectives investigating the supply of prohibited drugs charged the five - four men and a woman - on Monday after allegedly finding more than 200kg of cocaine.
Police also found more than $200,000 cash, steroids, money counters and a .25 calibre pistol fully loaded with 300 rounds of ammunition.
Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith described it as a “significant seizure” made “at a time when our community is vulnerable”.
“We want to make it clear NSW police are still operational,” he said, warning that more arrests are expected.
Married couple Julian Lee and Hoang Anh Le, both 39, Huu Quyen Andrew Do, 18 and Hieu Minh Nguyen, 21, appeared at Central Local Court today while alleged kingpin Huan Chu, 24, was mentioned at Liverpool Local Court.
NSW Police said after extensive investigations, strike force detectives stopped a vehicle on James Street, Leichhardt, just before 4pm on Monday and arrested Lee.
Do and Nguyen were also cuffed following a separate vehicle stop at Leichhardt soon after.
During searches of the vehicles officers seized 1.1kg of prohibited drugs, believed to be cocaine, concealed in a package bearing a Playboy motif.
All three men were taken to Newtown police station, where they were each charged with large commercial drug supply.
Do, of Canley Heights, and Middleton Grange man Nguyen did not appear on screen and did not apply for bail on Tuesday.
They are set to remain behind bars until their next court date in late May.
Chu was arrested during a raid at a home in Fairfield West about 5.30pm following further inquiries by Strike Force Irwine investigators, with assistance from Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squad.
During the search, officers seized 209 packages, containing more than 200kg of cocaine, and about $200,000 cash. Police also seized a further 5kg of cocaine and an amount of MDMA.
The total estimated potential street value of the drugs seized during the operation is almost $65 million.
Chu was taken to Fairfield police station and charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
Police will allege in court he was involved in the large-scale supply of cocaine across Sydney.
According to court documents, police allege the 24-year-old supplied more than 210kg of cocaine in Fairfield West and 1159.7g of the drug in Smithfield on Monday.
Chu was not required on screen in court today, where his solicitor did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. His matter will return to court on May 18.
About 10pm, officers arrested Le following a second search warrant at a unit on Clarence Street, Sydney.
During the search, police seized a firearm, ammunition, steroids and prohibited drugs believed to be cocaine.
Police allege Le was found with a .25 calibre pistol fully loaded with 300 rounds of ammunition, steroids, cocaine and money counters. All items will undergo forensic testing.
She was taken to Day Street police station and charged with possess unauthorised pistol and four counts of possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.
Magistrate Clare Farnan granted her release at Central Local Court on Tuesday after Le’s sister promised to post a $50,000 surety.
During her bail application the court heard co-accused Lee and Le were married and lived together in the Clarence St apartment that was raided the night before.
Defence lawyer Alex Radojev argued there was no evidence to prove the loaded firearm - found in a cupboard near the front door - or the boxes of ammunition uncovered in a spare bedroom belonged to Le.
“It could belong to either occupant,” he said.
Le wore a black coat and sobbed silently throughout her appearance, speaking up once to ask if she could retrieve her four cats that live in the apartment.
Her husband Lee did not appear on screen and will apply for bail on Thursday.
“Those arrested yesterday, we will allege are key syndicate members involving the distribution network,” Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
“In a time where our community is rather vulnerable from the crisis that’s occurring we want to make it clear that NSW police are still operational and will target serious and organised crime.’’