Multimillion-dollar Sydney drug ring dismantled by Raptor Squad

A multimillion-dollar money laundering syndicate which led police to $4 million in the boot of a car in Sydney’s west has been linked to a major Hong Kong-based Chinese triad.

The syndicate was allegedly operating across multiple Sydney suburbs.

An alleged multimillion-dollar drug money laundering syndicate which led police to $4 million in the boot of a car in Sydney’s west has been linked to a major Hong Kong-based Chinese triad.

Police have charged four people and seized more than $8 million in cash after busting the alleged syndicate following a year-long investigation by the State Crime Command and NSW Crime Commission.

Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said four people were involved in the ring, which was allegedly led by 32-year-old Yuan Tian, who allegedly laundered the money through a Sydney casino.

Police say the group had links with the importation and supply of drugs and international triads, with each member typically receiving a 3-6 per cent commission to turn over the drug money.

Police seized more than $8 million in cash while raiding several homes.

After speaking with Tian last Thursday, specialist Raptor Squad police raided a Campsie address where they found $260,000 cash, methylamphetamine and MDMA.

He was arrested and has been charged with multiple offences including leading a criminal group, dealing with the proceeds of crime, drug and weapon possession. He is due to front Bankstown Local Court on Thursday.

Following further inquiries, police raided a property on Belmore St, Burwood, where they found more than $60,000 in cash and arrested 27-year-old Zhengyi Zhang and 30-year-old Yang Qu.

The New South Wales Crime Commission established Strike Force Trobriand to investigate alleged money laundering and drug supply offences.

Zhang has been charged with knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime more than $5,000 while Qu has been charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime, participating in a criminal group and drug possession.

The pair have been refused bail to face Burwood Local Court on Thursday.

A short time later, police searched a unit at Rhodes where they located more than $3.1 million in cash before seizing more than $4.8 million from the boot of a vehicle located in the car park below the unit.

48-year-old Yang Wang was arrested at the scene and has been charged with three counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime and conveying tobacco products know of intent to defraud revenue.

Four people have been arrested and are due to face court.

Wang is due to front Burwood Local Court on Thursday.

Asst Comm Smith said Wang was found with a money counting machine and the cash had been prepared in bundles of $10,000.

Police also seized additional amounts of cash, a prohibited extendible baton, and documentation, from a Sixth Avenue address at Campsie.

Asst Comm Smith said investigations into the group’s activities were continuing and further arrests would not be ruled out.

“With the NSW Crime Commission and analysts we will be zeroing in on any businesses linked to the group,” he said.