Dubai, Badgerys Creek: Police smash alleged international MDMA, ice drug ring
Police have smashed an alleged international drug ring accused of smuggling three tonnes of illegal drugs, mainly MDMA and ice, into Australia inside shipping containers at least four times.
Liverpool
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An international drug ring accused of shipping into Australian borders an estimated $150 million worth of illegal drugs, originating from Holland and Germany, has been smashed following a seven-year investigation.
Police allege about three tonnes of illegal drugs, mainly MDMA and ice, were snuck into the country inside shipping containers at least four times. It is unknown how many shipments passed through undetected.
Police officers from two countries have arrested five Australian men – two in Dubai – and raided a number of properties, including two businesses on the outskirts of Sydney, and properties in Penrith and Baulkham Hills.
One of the men arrested, a 36-year-old from Erina Heights, has been named as Frank Farrugia.
He was arrested at a Darling Harbour hotel and appeared in Central Local Court on Tuesday via audio visual link.
He has been charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and knowingly direct activities of a criminal group.
Police allege Farrugia was involved in the supply of more than 20kg of MDMA and 3kg of methylamphetamine across NSW.
Police also allege he dealt with $4.6 million as the proceeds of crime.
Farrugia was represented in court by high profile lawyer Steve Zahr and his case was adjourned until August.
NSW Police organised crime squad commander Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said the long-running investigation had been supported by 14 international law enforcement agencies, including the FBI.
“For nearly seven years, our detectives have been working to identify individuals involved in this alleged criminal enterprise responsible for organising and facilitating large-scale drug importations into Australia,” he said.
“Throughout the investigation, officers identified a transnational organised crime syndicate involved in facilitating the importation of more than 2.87 tonnes of MDMA and methylamphetamine – with an estimated potential street value of more than $150 million.
“Police will allege members of the syndicate dealt with proceeds of crime worth more than $54 million, allowing them to travel the world in luxury and live a life of opulence – while they knowingly preyed on the vulnerabilities of others.”
Det Supt Fileman said the two men arrested in Dubai – aged 34 and 37 – had fled Australia a number of years earlier and police had received information they were planning to relocate to another country. The duo was arrested by Dubai police, acting on Interpol Red Notices, on Thursday.
On Tuesday morning, NSW Police raided two Badgerys Creek businesses and a Baulkham Hills home and seized paperwork relating to the investigation.
Farrugia and Deniz Kanmaz, 34, arrested at Muswellbrook Police Station, have been charged with commercial drug supply and deal with the proceeds of crime.
A third man, Mario Lang, also known as Mario Arambasic, 56, was arrested at a Baulkham Hills home and has been charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
Each of the men were refused bail to appear before court on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad are working with Commonwealth partner agencies to extradite the men from United Area Emirites to Australia.