Police smash alleged multi-million dollar drug syndicate and money laundering in Sydney
Two men have been re-arrested and charged over alleged connections with a huge drug supply and money laundering operation in Sydney, with police reportedly taking out seven million individual drug hits from the streets.
A 29-year-old Bass Hill man and Revesby man, 28, have been re-arrested and charged over alleged connections with a huge drug supply and money laundering operation in south west Sydney, reportedly taking out seven million individual drug hits from the streets.
The strike force team, which made the arrests, allegedly seized 11 firearms — including a semi-automatic — around 11 kg of cocaine, 19kg of prohibited drugs, 4½ kgs of MDMA, 3½ kg of ice and $600,000 in cash.
The younger man was charged with additional drug and firearms offences, as well as knowingly direct activities of criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court today.
The older man was charged with additional drug and firearms offences, as well as knowingly participate in criminal group assist crime. He was refused bail to appear at Fairfield Local Court today.
Detective Superintendent Jason Weinstein of the South West Metropolitan Operations told a media conference in Parramatta that the Wetherill Park Region Enforcement Squad had re-arrested the two men today, having begun an investigation into the illicit supply of firearms and prohibited drugs throughout the south west Sydney area last October.
“In late February, the Wetherill Park Region Enforcement Squad had executed five search warrants in Condell Park, Bankstown, Bass Hill and Hurstville into illegal firearms and illicit drugs throughout Sydney,” Det Supt Weinstein said.
He said they arrested three people at that time.
“One of them is currently bail refused and the other two are currently before the courts,” Det Supt Weinstein said.
“They are being charged for money laundering and other offences.
“Today (Tuesday), on account of further investigations, we arrested what we allege to be the leaders of the syndicate.
“The seizure of the drugs and firearms have a signifiant impact and we allege we have roughly seized seven million individual hits of those drugs from hitting the streets and harming our community.”
In September last year, police from Wetherill Park RESstarted an investigation into the illicit supply of firearms and drugs throughout the south-western Sydney area.
As part of their inquiries, Wetherill Park RES stopped a vehicle at Greenacre just before 8pm on Tuesday 19 February 2019 and spoke to the two male occupants – aged 27 and 29 – before searching the car and seizing more than $4200 cash.
A short time later, police executed a search warrant at a home at South Hurstville, where they seized a sawn-off double barrel shotgun and more than $150,000 cash.
The following day, Wetherill Park RES, assisted by Bass Hill RES, executed search warrants at homes at Bankstown, Bass Hill, and Condell Park.
During the searches, investigators seized more than 10kg of cocaine, 5kg of MDMA, six firearms, ammunition, firearm accessories, an electronic control device, prescription medication, cannabis, and more than $310,000 cash.
Officers also seized two vehicles – a BMW and a Honda Jazz – which were later subject to a forensic search, with police locating cocaine, $6750 cash, two loaded pistols, and a replica pistol hidden in secret compartments.
On Thursday 21 February 2019, a further search warrant was executed at a home unit at Bankstown, where they seized 3.5kg of methylamphetamine (ice), 1kg of cocaine, a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, ammunition, and almost $125,000 cash.
In total, investigators seized 11 firearms, more than 600 rounds of ammunition, more than $600,000 cash, and prohibited drugs with an estimated potential street value of about $14 million.
All of the seized items have since been subject to extensive forensic examinations.
During this phase of the investigation, three men and a woman were arrested.
The 27-year-old Condell Park man was charged with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, possess/attempt to, prescribed restricted substance, deal with property proceeds of crime, two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and possess ammunition without licence/permit/authority.
The 29-year-old Bass Hill man was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal and deal with property proceeds of crime.
A 52-year-old South Hurstville man was charged dealing with proceeds of crime and firearms offences.
He is currently on strict conditional bail and next due to appear at Sutherland Local Court on April 30.
The 32-year-old Bankstown woman was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, possess unregistered firearm-pistol, use, supply, acquire or possess defaced firearm, not keep firearm safe, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit, and organise/conducts/assists drug premises.
She remains refused bail to next appear at Bankstown Local Court on May 9.
Det Supt Weinstein praised the outstanding work of the strike force investigators and also thanked the public for their information, saying every bit helps.
“It is very pleasing to see that we expect to make further charges in respect to money laundering, which is a significant income not only for those involved in drug supply but those involved in crime.”
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