Yagoona, Canterbury, Belmore drug raids: Cops seize cocaine cash, meth oil
Strike Force Irwine detectives have charged two more men over their alleged involvement in a drug syndicate after officers raided several properties in Sydney’s southwest and seized cocaine, meth and more than $200,000 in cash.
The Express
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Police have seized more than $3.75 million in drugs and arrested two more men accused of being involved in the major drug syndicate supplying cocaine across NSW.
Canterbury man Tamir Erdenetsetseg, 27, was arrested at a construction site on Wednesday morning with detectives later raiding properties at Yagoona, Canterbury and Belmore, leading to the arrest of Yagoona man Quoc Toan Chu, 33.
Police officers seized $200,000 cash, 2.5kg of cocaine and 5kg of ‘ice’ and 5L of methylamphetamine oil. A total of $500,000 worth of jewellery was also discovered, as well as a stolen motorcycle, electronic storage devices and steroids.
Inside the Yagoona home, chemicals and equipment used for the extraction and manufacture of prohibited drugs were allegedly uncovered by police.
All items seized during the investigation will undergo forensic testing, police said.
Erdenetsetseg appeared before Campbelltown Local Court today charged with conspiring to commit the commercial supply of cocaine and participate in a criminal group.
He did not appear by videolink and did not apply for bail, which was formally refused. He will return to court on June 6, with police to compile a brief of evidence by May 27.
Quoc Toan Chu was charged with two counts of commercial drug supply, allegedly supplying ‘ice’ and cocaine in Yagoona.
He appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Thursday and did not apply for bail, which was formally refused. The matter will return to court on June 11.
Strike Force Irwine was established last year to investigate the supply of cocaine across NSW.
Last month, detectives seized more than 200kg of cocaine and arrested married couple Julian Lee and Hoang Anh Le, both 39, Huu Quyen Andrew Do, 18, Hieu Minh Nguyen, 21, and alleged kingpin Huan Chu, 24 in relation to the alleged drug syndicate. All five remain before the courts.
More than 420kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of nearly $130 million, has been seized by police across the investigation.
At a press conference on Thursday, State Crime Commander and Assistant Police Commissioner, Stuart Smith, said Strike Force Irwine was “escalating”.
“The operation is now moving at a fast pace,” he said.
“I won’t rule out further arrests or search warrants.
“With a vulnerable community at present, we need to take out the illicit drug trade at the commercial end, and 420kg of cocaine is significant when the usage in NSW is around two-and-a-half tonnes a year.”
Inquiries are continuing.