Sydney man charged with importing drugs into New South Wales by transnational gang

Millions of dollars in cash and illegal drugs bound for Australia from the US and Europe have been seized by authorities after a massive 18-month operation.

Six people aged between 28 and 44 have been arrested in Sydney and charged with their alleged role in an international organized crime network.

New South Wales detectives, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission are working with Border Patrol and US authorities to uncover several criminal groups allegedly working together to import drugs into the country. I made it

More than $2.5 million in cash and 300kg of methylamphetamine and cocaine have been seized from the streets of Australia as part of an operation to target organized crime in New South Wales that began in 2021.

In Los Angeles, investigators seized over 200kg of methylamphetamine destined for Sydney, 60kg of cocaine believed to have been sourced from Germany, and about $1 million in cash hidden in machinery in a warehouse in Sydney.

Yesterday, police carried out 16 search warrants at businesses and homes in southwest Sydney, which included items such as rifles, ammunition, cryptocurrency wallets, steroids and documents taken for forensic examination.

Another $1.4 million was found during a vehicle stop in Bankstown.

New South Wales Police Superintendent Peter Four said several organized criminal groups were working together to bring drugs into the country.

“Various cover-up methods are nothing new, but what’s notable is the level of involvement that various crime syndicates bring in their cargo,” Fox said.

AFP commander Kate Ferry said criminal groups believed that operating in multiple countries would protect them from police.

“They couldn’t be more wrong,” she said.

“These criminals undermine our national security and economy. They make our suburbs and roads less safe.

“If illicit drug use is not significantly reduced and these serious offenders are not brought to justice, Australians’ lives will change.”

Five men are scheduled to appear in court today.

A 33-year-old Picton man was denied bail and charged with nine counts, including supplying commercial quantities of a prohibited drug, and is due to appear in Picton District Court today.

A 41-year-old man arrested in Wetherill Park business is due to appear in Liverpool court today on three counts of importing commercial quantities of border-controlled drugs and one count of committing a crime for the benefit of an organization. will be charged with the crime. .

A 44-year-old man arrested in Sefton and a 30-year-old man arrested in Belfield are scheduled to appear in Bankstown District Court today.

So did a 28-year-old man who was arrested during a stop in Bankstown.

Earlwood’s 38-year-old man was denied bail to appear in Burwood District Court in January.

A 32-year-old man has been released pending further investigation.

A 23-year-old man was arrested in Los Angeles in possession of cash, MDMA and cocaine.

U.S. Homeland Security Investigator Ernest Bellina said U.S. authorities would work with Australian authorities to tackle organized crime.