Four men alleged to be in Sydney’s dial-a-dealer gang arrested
Four men alleged to be in Sydney’s dial-a-dealer drug syndicate have been arrested following a series of raids in the south west.
The Express
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Four allegedly high ranking members of a dial-a-dealer syndicate are in custody after more than 1.25kg of cocaine was seized in raids across Sydney’s south west.
Thew four men, two aged 28, and two aged 29, were taken to Bankstown police station after being arrested on Monday morning. They were charged later Monday.
Redfern Region Enforcement Squad Commander Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell said police hoped to make more arrests following seven raids at Bankstown, Croydon Park, Yagoona, Potts Hill and Condell Park.
A 28-year-old Bankstown man was charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group, take part supplying prohibited drug,, supply prohibited drug more than indictable quantity, two counts of found on/entering/leaving drug premises, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, and acquire prohibited firearm part no authority to do so.
A 29-year-old Condell Park man was charged with participating in criminal group contribute criminal activity, two counts of take part supply prohibited drug,two counts of found on/entering/leaving drug premises, supply prohibited drug more than indictable quantity, possess ammunition w/o holding licence/permit, and dealing with property proceeds of crime.
A 28-year-old Yagoona man was charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group, two counts of take part supply prohibited drug, and two counts of found on/entering/leaving drug premises.
A 29-year-old Potts Hills man was charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group, take part supply prohibited drug and found on/entering/leaving drug premises.
The cocaine seized has an estimated street value of $600,000.
Police also seized more than $40,000 cash, mobile phones, ammunition, firearm parts, documentation and equipment used in the supply of prohibited drugs.
Det Chief Insp Bell said since police began investigating the dial-a-deal operation in September 2017, a total of 186 people had been arrested within the Central Metropolitan Region.
“Police had targeted in the past street level drug dealers,” Det Chief Insp Bell said.
“Now we have identified the (alleged) principals behind it.
“We have more warrants out and the 1.2kg of cocaine (we have seized) may increase.”
He said the syndicate was very sophisticated and was responsible for the supply and distribution of cocaine across Sydney.
“With the festive season approaching, we know there will be more people in the community trying to supply and purchase prohibited drugs,” Det Chief Insp Bell said.
He said the arrests on Monday resulted from extensive detective work and information from the public.
Det Chief Insp Bell said the alleged dial-a-dealer operation involved someone calling a designated number and arranging to get cocaine which would then be dropped off at a specific location.
“It is unknown how the (mobile) numbers are known but maybe word of mouth,” Det Chief Insp Bell said.
He did not say where the cocaine is coming from and said investigations are ongoing.
In May, the strike force arrested and charged 55 people during a targeted proactive operation into the alleged dial-a-dealer syndicate operating throughout the Sydney’s CBD and eastern suburbs.
During the operation, police officers said they received information about the activities of a sophisticated organised criminal network involved in facilitating and directing the supply of prohibited drugs through this service.
The strike force was assisted on Monday by the Public Order and Riot Squad, Operation ODIN and the Dog Unit.