PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF branded images of the items seized under SF Lollback are available via hightail – https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/xRThWmes4b
PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF branded vision and images of the SF Gulda arrests are available via hightail – https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/Ym48LQflnE
Detectives attached to the NSW Police State Crime Command have charged five men, executed 13 warrants, seized $15 million worth of drugs and frozen $8 million worth of assets in a two-day blitz targeting transnational organised crime syndicates.
Between Wednesday 12 July 2023 and Thursday 13 July 2023, the Organised Crime Squad and Drug & Firearms Squad into resolution on respective Strike Forces; Lollback and Gulda.
About 7.20am on Wednesday 12 July 2023, Strike Force Lollback detectives – with the assistance from the Public Order & Riot Squad (PORS) – executed a search warrant on Bridge Street in Erskineville.
During the search of the Erskineville apartment, officers found numerous items consistent with the manufacture of prohibited drugs and assistance was sought from the Chemical Operations Unit, Technical and Forensic Support Unit and NSW Fire & Rescue HAZMAT team to dismantle the alleged lab.
Investigators seized approximately 25kg of ketamine, 10kg of imported amphetamine, 9kg of cocaine, 4.5kg of MDMA, 2kg of cannabis, approximately $580,000 in cash and mobile phones relevant to their investigation.
The combined street value of the drugs seized is believed to be in excess of $15m.
Strike Force Lollback detectives then executed search warrants at addresses in Canterbury and Kingsgrove, where they arrested three men – aged 27, 28 and 29.
During a search of the Kingsgrove properties, officers located and seized a firearm, ammunition, gold bullion, cryptocurrency wallets and $220,000 in cash.
The men were taken to Burwood Police Station where the 27-year-old was charged with possessing an unauthorised pistol, five counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and six counts of supply prohibited drugs.
The 28-year-old was charged with six drug supply offences, and the 29-year-old was charged with deal with property proceeds of crime
The younger men were refused bail to appear before Burwood Local Court on Thursday 13 July 2023, while the 29-year-old was granted strict conditional bail to appear before the same court on Tuesday 25 July 2023.
Just before 7am on Thursday 13 July 2023, Strike Force Gulda detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad, PORS and Central Metropolitan Region Operation Support Group – executed eight simultaneous search warrants across Berala, Granville, Lidcombe, Bankstown, Potts Hill, Burwood, Haymarket, and Sydney's CBD.
During the searches, police seized designer watches, jewellery, a liquid believed to be GBL, phones and documentation relevant to their investigation.
Assets to the value of $8 million were frozen by the NSW Crime Commission, who collaboratively worked with both squads.
A 51-year-old man was arrested at the Sydney address and taken to Day Street Police Station where he was charged with 13 offences including seven counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal, recklessly deal with proceeds general crime intend to conceal, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, deal with property proceeds of crime $10000, dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception and use false document to obtain property.
The 51-year-old was refused bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court today (Friday 14 July 2023).
A 26-year-old man was arrested in Berala and was taken to Auburn Police station, where he was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal, dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception, use false document to obtain property, and participate criminal group contribute criminal. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Burwood Local Court on Thursday 20 July 2023.
Detective Superintendent Grant Taylor, Acting Director at State Crime Command, said police are making impressive inroads in the fight against transnational organised crime networks.
"Transnational organised crime networks know there is big money to be made exploiting both legitimate and illegitimate industries here in Australia – but they have to get past us first," Det A/C/Supt Taylor said.
"Working in unison, the Drug & Firearms Squad and Organised Crime Squad have the best detectives attacking these syndicates from every angle, and these resolutions are examples of that."
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