Three Sydney men charged after alleged cocaine supply ring smashed

Three men have been charged after police smashed an alleged cocaine supply ring stretching across several Sydney suburbs including Lurnea, Warwick Farm, Raby, Gregory Hills and Cabramatta.

Three men have been charged after police smashed an alleged cocaine supply ring stretching across several Sydney suburbs.

Police from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Howse in November 2022 to investigate the alleged large scale drug supply across the Sydney Central Metropolitan areas.

Following investigations, police executed a search warrant in a Parramatta motel just before 11am on Wednesday, where they arrested three men - Grant Taulafo, Bobby Murray-Waititi and Iakopo Ta’ala - and a woman.

The officers seized about 1kg of cocaine at the scene.

Shortly after, police executed five search warrants at properties in Lurnea, Warwick Farm, Raby, Gregory Hills and a business at Cabramatta.

Three people have been charged over the alleged supply of cocaine in Sydney. Picture: NSW Police

One kilogram of cocaine was seized at a Parramatta motel. Picture: NSW Police

Police allege the syndicate was running across a number of Sydney suburbs. Picture: NSW Police

During the search warrants, detectives located several items including cash, a replica firearm, luxury watches, small amounts of cocaine and small amounts of cannabis.

All four people were taken to Merrylands and Granville police stations where they were charged with various offences.

Police seized cash, a replica firearm, luxury watches, and small amounts of cocaine and cannabis. Picture: NSW Police

Iakopo Ta’ala was one of the men arrested. Picture: NSW Police

Warwick Farm 23 year old Mr Taulafo was charged with supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

Mr Murray-Waititi, 24, of Gregory Hills, was charged with take part supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

Strike force detectives – assisted by the Tactical Operations Unit – arrested three men and a woman at a motel. Picture: NSW Police

Three men and a woman were arrested at a motel in Parramatta. Picture: NSW Police

Picture: NSW Police

Gregory Hills 30-year-old Mr Ta’ala was charged with take part supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

The 30-year-old woman was released by police pending further inquiries.

At Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, Magistrate John McIntosh granted Mr Ta’ala bail after his lawyer Yusuf Hassan told the court the prosecution did not have a strong case, saying there was no evidence of direct involvement with the alleged offences.

“There is nothing to prove he had knowledge of what was going on,’’ Mr Hassan said.

The prosecution opposed bail and told the court of concerns that Mr Ta’ala would fail to appear in court, endanger the community’s safety and interfere with witnesses of the alleged “upscale” operation.

Mr McIntosh told the court about the quantity of cocaine linked to the allegations.

“I watch the news every night and they find hundreds of kilos of drugs all the time - here you find 1kg,’’ he said.

“I’m not suggesting it’s not serious but we’re dealing with 1kg plus the ongoing supply.

“You can’t just keep everyone in custody.’’

Mr Ta’ala, who appeared via video link, was visibly relieved when granted bail with “incredibly stringent conditions”, clasping his hands together and blowing a kiss to three women who supported him in the courtroom.

The prosecution said it would appeal the bail decision by filing a detention application in the Supreme Court.

No bail was applied for and refused for Mr Taulafo.

Mr Murray-Waititi’s matter was adjourned to Friday when no bail application was made.

After rejecting Legal Aid on Thursday, the court heard how he now sought the organisation’s assistance. Mr Murray-Waititi was not required on video link and his matter was adjourned to April 13.

Anyone with information is urged to come forward or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.