Cocaine, MDMA, firearms and cash seized in ‘crime network’ arrests

A multi-agency investigation targeting a consignment of cocaine into Australia has resulted in the arrest of two men in Sydney’s south-west.

Two men have been arrested after two tonnes of cocaine falsely listed as cocoa powder were seized by police earlier this year.

Police began investigating in March when the shipment arrived listing its cargo as more than 5000kg of cocoa powder from South Africa.

Border Force and AFP testing of the substance confirmed it contained 2.25 tonnes of cocaine.

The powder was then replaced with a fake substance, leading police to a southwest Sydney home.

Police began investigating in March when the shipment arrived listing its cargo as more than 5000kg of cocoa powder from South Africa.

On Thursday night teams of officers from the Organised Crime Squad, Raptor Squad, the AFP and local commands swarmed on homes in western Sydney.

In total, they would seize 2kg of cocaine, 6kg of MDMA, pistols, a rifle, a pump action shotgun, knuckle dusters and a bulletproof vest.

A rifle seized in the operation.

Officers also seized a pump action shotgun, knuckle dusters

knuckle dusters and ammunition.

Four firearms – a pump-action shotgun, one rifle and two pistols – were seized.

Two men, 40 and 41, were arrested and charged at Bankstown Police Station with various firearm, drugs and proceeds of crime offences.

Both were denied bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday.