Organised Crime Squad detectives have charged four people and seized more than $8 million in cash, as part of ongoing investigations into an alleged money laundering syndicate involved in the supply of prohibited drugs across Sydney.
In January 2021, detectives from the State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad – together with the New South Wales Crime Commission (NSWCC) – established Strike Force Trobriand to investigate alleged money laundering and drug supply offences committed by a criminal syndicate.
As part of ongoing investigations, police spoke with a 32-year-old man on Canning Street at Lidcombe about 11pm last Thursday (6 January 2022), before serving him with a Firearm Prohibition Order (FPO), then executing an FPO search at a Campsie address a short time later.
During that search, police located $260,000 cash, as well as amounts of methylamphetamine and MDMA, which were seized for further forensic analysis.
Following extensive inquiries, investigators – assisted by officers attached to Raptor Squad – executed four search warrants in Burwood, Campsie and Rhodes from 7am yesterday (Wednesday 12 January 2022).
A man and woman, aged 27 and 30, were arrested at separate units on Belmore Street at Burwood, before police searched both premises, locating more than $60,000 in cash.
Both were taken to Burwood Police Station.
A short time later, investigators subsequently located more than $3.1 million in cash while searching a unit at Rhodes, before later seizing a further $4.78 million from the boot of a vehicle located within in a secure car park below the unit complex.
Police also seized additional amounts of cash, a prohibited extendable baton, and documentation, from a Sixth Avenue address at Campsie.
A 32-year-old man was arrested at the Campsie address and taken to Campsie Police Station, while a 48-year-old woman was arrested at the Rhodes unit and taken to Burwood Police Station.
The older woman has since been charged with;
- knowingly deal with proceeds of crime (x3)
- convey etc tobacco products know of intent defraud revenue
The younger woman was charged with three offences, including;
- knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal
- participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and,
- supply prohibited drug more than indictable and less than commercial quantity
The younger man was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime more than $5,000 and possess prohibited drug, while the older man was charged with six offences, including;
- knowingly deal with proceeds of crime
- possess prohibited drug
- possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit
- excluded person enter casino (x2)
- knowingly direct activities of criminal group
The two women and the younger man were refused bail to face Burwood Local Court today (Thursday 13 January 2022).
The older man was refused bail to face Bankstown Local Court today (Thursday 13 January 2022).
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
