Release Date: Saturday, August 03 2013, 12:28 PM
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has disrupted a Sydney-based drug syndicate, arresting three people and restraining approximately $630,000 in proceeds of crime overnight.
A 47-year-old Abbotsford man, a 48-year old Parramatta man and a 49-year-old man (no fixed abode) are scheduled to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 3 August 2013).
The men have been charged with a range of offences including drug trafficking, conspiracy to import border controlled drugs and dealing in proceeds of crime.
The operation began on Monday 29 July 2013 when the AFP seized a package addressed to a business in the Sydney CBD found to be concealing approximately 200 grams of methamphetamine.
Further enquiries by the AFP revealed a syndicate operating in Sydney had allegedly been planning several importations of methamphetamine into Australia.
Last night the AFP arrested the three men and executed search warrants in Wareemba and Abbotsford, seizing approximately $630,000, a semi-automatic handgun with silencer and a small amount of drugs.
It will be alleged in court the men were involved with the syndicate at various levels, from importation through to distribution.
AFP Manager Crime Operations Jennifer Hurst said the success of this investigation sends a clear message to both Australian-based and international drug syndicates.
“Despite efforts by criminal networks to evade detection, the AFP is continuing to identify and disrupt the syndicates who attempt to break Australian law,” Commander Hurst said.
“The AFP will continue working with our domestic and international law enforcement partners, targeting all elements of this and other drug syndicates”.
A 29-year-old Haymarket man was also charged on Tuesday 30 July 2013 in connection to this operation for drug importation offences.
Investigations into the syndicate are continuing.
Summary of charges
47-year-old Abbotsford man:
- Possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
- Conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, with a person unknown, contrary to section 307.1 by virtue of section 11.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
- Trafficking commercial quantities of controlled drugs, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 302.2 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
48-year-old Parramatta man:
- Possession of prohibited drugs, contrary to section 10 of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985.
- Supply of prohibited drugs, contrary to section 25 of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985.
- Dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime, contrary to section 193C of the Crimes Act 1900.
49-year-old man (no fixed abode):
- Dealing in proceeds of crime worth $100,000 or more, contrary to section 400.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
- Unauthorised possession or use of prohibited firearms or pistols, contrary to section 7 of the Firearms Act 1996.
