Two people have been charged for allegedly attempting to import and supply 100kg of methamphetamine as part of a three-year investigation into an alleged criminal syndicate in New South Wales (NSW).
Organised Crime Squad detectives—assisted by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the AFP, the Department of Home Affairs and the NSW Crime Commission - launched an investigation into an alleged organised criminal network attempting to import methylamphetamine into Australia in 2019.
The detectives later established a strike force to continue the investigation.
As part of that investigation, Border Force officials and AFP officers found 100kg of methylamphetamine hidden in duffle bags inside a container in NSW on August 18.
Police also seized more than $1 million (US$647,000) in cash and suspected encrypted electronic devices as part of the investigation.
About 11 on Tuesday, strike force detectives conducted a controlled delivery at a storage facility in the Sydney suburb of Caringbah, where a 34-year-old man was arrested.
A 54-year-old woman was arrested at a home in Granville later on Tuesday.
The man was taken to Sutherland Police Station and charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.
The woman was taken to Granville Police Station and charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of general crime of more than $100,000, and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
The two were refused bail and appeared at Sutherland and Parramatta Local Courts, respectively, on Wednesday.
The man and the woman were formally refused bail and will appear at Downing Centre Local Court on October 26.
Organised Crime Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said investigations into the alleged syndicate were continuing.
“It’s understood a number of people involved in this syndicate may be offshore,” he said.
“As such, we will continue to work with our partner agencies to identify and arrest them and put them before the court.”
Det Supt Faux said the arrests served as a message to anyone who wished to engage in such criminal behaviour.
“It does not matter if you are not on our shores—we will work with our national and international partners to target those who have a complete disregard for the safety of the NSW community,” he said.
