‘Unseen’: Cops seize $1bn in cocaine after alleged kidnapping foiled

A man who police allege was going to be kidnapped has been arrested after he was allegedly found with $1bn in cocaine.

Police have seized a more than $1bn worth of cocaine after foiling an alleged attempted kidnapping at an apartment block in Sydney’s affluent northwest.

The robbery and serious crime squad and local police were called to Blaxland Rd in Ryde shortly after 6am on Monday following reports of a break and enter.

When officers arrived, they allegedly found four men dressed in all black and wearing face coverings sitting in a Toyota Yaris in the underground carpark.

Police allege the four men broke into the complex with the intent to rob and kidnap a 24-year-old occupant, who was also arrested after a search of the home.

Inside, police allegedly unearthed 722kg of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding $1bn.

State Crime Command’s robbery and serious crime squad commander, Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi, said the find was “unseen” for NSW Police.

“This seizure of cocaine is one of the biggest single seizures that the NSW Police Force have been involved in that doesn’t involve drug importation,” he said.

Blaxland Rd in Ryde, north Sydney. Picture: Supplied

“It’s incredible, an absolutely fantastic result. For NSW Police, the seizure of this quantity is unseen. I’m very pleased with my investigators.”

According to investigators, the man had arrived from Melbourne, where he is known to police, about three weeks prior to his arrest.

Superintendent Doueihi said the man had leased the apartment through Airbnb and had allegedly stashed the drugs in black sports bags.

Prior to the alleged bust, Superintendent Doueihi said the man had been “friendly and helpful” towards officers.

“Until we saw him a few hours later … jumping off the back balcony to the waiting police at the back of the unit,” he said.

“It’s very unlikely that he even knew he was the victim of a potential kidnapping, robbery offence.

“You will only be a victim of this type of offence if you’re involved in organised crime.

“So, if you’re involved in large commercial drug supply, there’s a high risk that you’re in danger.”

Police believe that because of the packaging and type of drug the cocaine likely originated in South America, including Colombia.

State Crime Command’s robbery and serious crime squad commander, Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi. Picture: Nine

The man has since been charged with supplying a large-scale commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

He was refused bail to appear before Burwood Local Court on Tuesday, along with the other four men who were separately charged with kidnapping offences.

Police allegedly unearthed a stash of items consistent with kidnapping in the men’s vehicle, including a crowbar, meat cleaver, bladed knife, light bar, and zip ties.

They each face one charge each of break and enter in company, being armed and disguised with intent to commit indictable offence, and participating in a criminal group.

Superintendent Doueihi also shed new light on the circumstances surrounding the arrests of the four alleged would-be kidnappers, aged between 19 and 25.

He said police had been alerted to the alleged kidnapping after the men had damaged the roller door entering the carpark, effectively locking themselves inside.

Detectives would examine whether the four men, who are known to police, were allegedly part of an organised crime group or had been hired.