NSW Police charge nine people including Coffs Coast’s Lawrence Ly, 28, during probe into alleged Sydney heroin, firearms syndicate
Police allege a northern NSW man directed a criminal syndicate spanning the state which was involved in the supply of guns and heroin across the Sydney metro area. Here’s the latest.
Police & Courts
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Police allege a Coffs Coast man directed a criminal syndicate spanning the state which was involved in the supply of guns and heroin across the Sydney metro area.
The 28-year-old man, Lawrence Ly, was arrested by NSW Police and Australian Border Force officers during a raid at a Bucca address, near Coffs Harbour, on Wednesday.
It comes after police’s Central Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad North launched Strike Force Iverach in November to probe widespread dealing of the opiate drug in the city.
Lawrence was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station and slapped with a dozen charges, including knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group.
Officers also arrested two women and six more men, alleged to be associates, “following extensive inquiries”, according to a police statement.
More raids were carried out at Bankstown, Auburn Ryde, Harrington Park and Lidcombe addresses.
Police allege officers “located and seized more than 40 kilograms of methylamphetamine, 2kg of cocaine, 1.8kg of MDMA, 1.5kg of heroin, 18kg of cannabis, 1kg of pseudoephedrine, electronic cash counters and more than $145,000 in cash”.
The women aged 21 and 24 and the men aged between 21 and 26 were taken to Auburn, Burwood, Bankstown, Gladesville and Narellan police stations.
Alleged ringleader Ly has also been charged with supplying a prohibited drug (more than a large commercial quantity), three counts of supplying a drug (more than indictable and less than commercial quantity), and two counts each of supplying more than a commercial quantity of a drug and supplying an unregistered pistol. It’s alleged at least one firearm was a Glock handgun.
The accused heroin dealer has also been charged with knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction and supplying a drug (more than small and less than indictable quantity).
“Police will allege in court the 28-year-old man (Ly) facilitated and directed a criminal syndicate involved in the supply of heroin,” the police statement read.
Ly was refused bail to face Coffs Harbour Local Court on Thursday.
Police also allege a 22-year-old man was found with 1.4kg of heroin in a vehicle on Jocelyn Street, Chester Hill.
He was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with supplying a drug (more than large commercial quantity), participating in a criminal group and being an unaccompanied learner driver.
Police also state a 23-year-old men was charged with 11 offences, including three counts each of supplying a drug (more than large commercial quantity) and dealing with proceeds of crime, and two counts of supplying a drug (more than commercial quantity).
He has also been charged with supplying a drug (more than indictable and less than commercial quantity), supplying a drug (more than small and less than indictable quantity) and participating in a criminal group.
The 24-year-old woman was charged with three counts of supplying a drug (more than commercial quantity), and two counts each of supplying a drug (more than large commercial quantity) and dealing with proceeds of crime.
She has also been charged with supplying a drug (more than small and less than indictable quantity) and participating in a criminal group.
They were refused bail to face Bankstown Local Court on Thursday.
The 21-year-old woman was charged with three counts of supplying a drug (more than large commercial quantity), and one count each of supplying a drug (more than commercial quantity) and participating in a criminal group.
A second 23-year-old man was charged with two counts of possessing a prohibited drug, as well as supplying a drug (more than commercial quantity), participating in a criminal group, possessing or using a prohibited weapon without permit, and failing to comply with a digital evidence direction.
A 26-year-old man was charged with three counts of supplying a drug (more than large commercial quantity), two counts of supplying a drug (more than indictable and less than commercial quantity), participating in a criminal group and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.
A second 26-year-old man was charged with three counts of supplying a drug (more than large commercial quantity), as well as supplying a drug (more than indictable and less than commercial quantity) and participating in a criminal group.
They were refused bail to front Burwood Local Court on Thursday.
A 21-year-old man was charged with two counts of supplying a drug (more than large commercial quantity), as well as supplying a drug (more than commercial quantity), participating in a criminal group, supplying cannabis and recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime.
He was refused bail to face Picton Local Court on Thursday.
Strike force investigators were aided by the Tactical Operations Unit, AirWing, Coffs Clarence Police District, Central Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad South, Bankstown Region Enforcement Squad, Wetherill Park Region Enforcement Squad and the Dog Unit.
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