Notorious ‘Chinese Simon’ drug syndicate busted in Sydney by NSW Police

NSW Police were waiting as the alleged big fish of the major Asian drug syndicate hit the ground in Australia.

A major Asian drug syndicate has been brought to its knees by NSW Police, after an alleged “big fish” of the gang was arrested after flying out to Australia.

The “Chinese Simon” syndicate has long been on the radar of police for their alleged efforts to import drugs into Australia in a variety of covert ways, before distributing them throughout the country.

Peter Zhang, 46, had allegedly played a key high-ranking role in the syndicate’s operations.

But after the arrest of several alleged “Chinese Simon” foot soldiers, Zhang allegedly flew out to complete the job himself.

What Zhang did not realise as he flew into Melbourne from Manila, the capital of the Philippines, was that NSW Police detectives operating under Strike Force Pipar had anticipated and were waiting for his arrival.

The “Chinese Simon” drug syndicate has been smashed by NSW Police Strike Force Pipar. Picture: NSW Police

John Watson, Drug & Firearm Squad Commander, and Peter Faux, Organised Crime Squad Commander. Picture: Daily Telegraph/ Brendan Read

Zhang was collected at the airport by his associate Yang Wang, 44, before setting path for NSW, where the pair allegedly planned to assist in the extraction of a large amount of heroin concealed inside batteries.

But before Zhang and Wang could make the alleged extraction police swooped, with Organised Crime Squad boss Peter Faux saying his team had kept a close eye on the former since he arrived in Australia.

“We are always monitoring alleged international organised criminals and their movements across the Australian border, with both concealed illegal drugs and intent to carry out illegal activities that have a serious impact on our state,” Det Supt Faux said.

“This is a good result thanks to a multifaceted approached by offices from the Organised Crime Squad, the Drug and Firearms Squad, the NSW Crime Commission and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.”

A number of properties were raided and two men, Peng Zhang and Yang Wang, charged by Strike Force Pipar detectives. Picture: NSW Police

Organised Crime Squad and Raptor Squad officers raided an address at Point Frederick, near Gosford, last Friday and allegedly located 6.5kg of methamphetamine crystals in the re-crystalline process.

They also allegedly uncovered equipment consistent with the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs, such as solvents, and vacuum sealers.

Later that morning Strike Force Pipar detectives executed two raids in Riverwood and West Pennant Hills.

Inside the Riverwood address, detectives arrested Zhang and seized 100kg of cannabis, a number of items luxury watches and money counters, electronics and a taser.

Zhang and Wang were charged with multiple drug offences, including manufacturing a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug. Picture: NSW Police

Wang, was arrested at the Pennant Hills address by detectives.

Both Zhang and Wang were charged with manufacturing a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, supplying large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, and possessing a prohibited drug.

They faced Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday where they made no applications for bail and it was formally refused.

Zhang and Wang are due to next face Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, September 21.