Raids across Sydney busts alleged MDMA, LSD ring supplying to pubs, music festivals
Nine people have been arrested in raids across Sydney, with cops seizing several reptiles and a haul of drugs.
Central Sydney
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Nine people have been charged as a drug ring that allegedly supplied to dance clubs, pubs and music events in the inner city was brought to its knees in early morning raids on Wednesday.
Six men and three women were arrested in Sydney’s south and north west following searches at seven properties in Leumeah, Cabramatta, Campsie, Berala, Fairfield, Oakville and Macquarie Park.
It followed extensive investigations by Strike Force Hiddenite detectives, a taskforce formed in July 2019 to target the supply of MDMA and LSD in the city’s inner suburbs.
Charges laid on the group include participation in a criminal group, drug supply and drug possession.
One man, 34, from Leumeah was charged with directing the activities of a criminal group and six counts of commercial drug supply.
Detective Chief Inspector Steven Patton said on Wednesday police acted on information received about “particular persons” and targeted the entire group.
“We’ll be alleging that some of these people were supplying to various licensed premises and music festivals across Sydney,” he said.
“We’ve identified the manager, and we’ve identified his upline supplier, we’re alleging. We’ve basically taken out this entire syndicate this morning.”
More than 100 police officers attached to six regional enforcement squads, Fairfield, Campsie, Newcastle police area commands, Operation ODIN and the Dog Unit pounced on the alleged drug network on Wednesday.
Officers will allege they seized 1.39kg of MDMA, 16.6g of LSD, an amount of ketamine and cocaine, more than $8000 in cash and a pistol during the raids that began about 6am on March 4.
Police also discovered 21 reptiles, including blue tongue lizards and snakes, at the Berala property which were turned over to a wildlife welfare group.
Insp Patton said people were “risking your life” buying drugs made in shoddy conditions.
“All these drugs that are sold at these festivals are dangerous,”
“They’re made in backyards, they’re made by grubs in grubby conditions.”
“You don’t know where that drugs come from, you don’t know how your body is going to react.”
