Man arrested over woman’s death in Sydney was linked to Bali Nine

A MAN arrested over the death of a woman whose naked body was found floating in western Sydney today was linked to the Bali Nine drug syndicate.

Officer retrieves a pair of scissors from the garbage bin in the carpark area. Unknown if the scissors are connected to the crime. Police are conducting an investigation following the death of a female in SydneyÕs inner west overnight. Shortly before 11.30pm yesterday, (Thursday 7 April 2016), emergency services were called to Cabarita Wharf, Cabarita following reports of woman being assaulted. Officers attached to Burwood Local Area Command attended and upon arrival located a womanÕs body in the water. The woman, believed to be aged in her 20Õs, was treated at the scene by police and NSW Ambulance Paramedics, but was unable to be revived. A man has been taken to Burwood Police Station where he is assisting police with inquires. Police have established a crime scene which will be examined by forensic specialists. Detectives from Burwood Local Area Command are investigating the incident.

THE man arrested in relation to the death of a woman at Cabarita Wharf was linked to the Bali Nine drug importation syndicate.

The man was sentenced to seven years jail in 2007 in Brisbane’s Supreme Court after pleading guilty to conspiring to import drugs in late 2004.

He was one of six people arrested in Sydney and Brisbane in relation to the syndicate months before the Bali Nine were arrested in 2005.

The man was a school friend of recently executed Bali Nine ringleader Myuran Sukumaran and also gave evidence against others arrested in the syndicate.

The man was a friend of executed Bali Nine ringleader Myuran Sukumaran, right pictured with Andrew Chan.

Investigators retrieve a pair of scissors from a garbage bin near the carpark area. It is unknown if they are connected to the crime. Picture: Phillip Rogers

The man helped organise drug mules in Australia and drove them around Sydney after a successful drug importation operation in October 2004.

He visited Bali three times under the orders of Sukumaran.

Police searched the man’s Lidcombe family home today, removing several brown paper bags of evidence.

A man at the home — believed to his father — said he knew nothing about the arrest.

“I don’t care,” he said.

. Picture: Phillip Rogers

The woman’s lifeless body was found in the water near Cabarita Wharf. Picture: Phil Rogers

Police found a man standing over the lifeless body of a woman floating in the water at Cabarita Wharf last night.

Police investigating reports of an assault at Cabarita Wharf, inside the park, found the woman, aged 27, lying in the water about 11.30pm.

She was pulled from the water and paramedics attempted CPR, however she could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Superintendent Mark Jones said the man arrested was found naked standing over the female victim, who was also naked in the water, at the water’s edge.

Cabarita sits on the Parramatta River west of Drummoyne.

Police searched several properties across the inner west and city, including the arrested man’s house. Investigators are looking into the possibility the woman was killed at another location and dumped near Cabarita Wharf.

“Police found a male standing over a female at the waters edge. A male has tried to decamp from the area and was arrested a short distance away,” Supt Jones said.

“The male was standing over this female in a foot of water. Both the male and female were naked.

“Whether they are known to each other is something we are looking at. We do not believe this was a random attack.

“She had lacerations to the facial area and other injuries.”

Supt Jones said the man was known to police and investigators had not located a murder weapon.

“It’s a tragic, tragic event. She appears to be a very nice young lady who unfortunately has been murdered,” he said.

Police have been searching in the water and around the parkland where the wharf is located. Picture: Phil Rogers

Early this morning divers were searching the water close to the wharf. Picture: Phil Rogers

While investigations continue at the scene, homes across the inner west and city are being searched by police. Picture: Phil Rogers

Police arrested a man nearby and have taken him to Burwood Police Station. Picture: Bill Hearne

Police set up a large crime scene, closing off the park roughly 200m from the entrance.

Detectives and forensics officers appeared to be focusing on an area of the car park behind the wharf.

Cabarita is a riverside suburb in Sydney’s inner west with the wharf servicing ferries that run between the city and Parramatta.

The wharf itself is inside Cabarita Park, a popular spot for families with play equipment and views stretching out over the harbour.