Detectives have arrested three men in Sydney and another in Melbourne as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged supply of prohibited drugs and firearms by an organised criminal syndicate across NSW.
In December 2019, the State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Grenville to investigate a Sydney-based criminal syndicate allegedly involved in the supply of prohibited drugs and firearms.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators, with assistance from the Criminal Groups Squad's Strike Force Raptor, arrested a 32-year-old man during a vehicle stop on Rudd Road at Leumeah just after 6am yesterday (Thursday 21 May 2020).
Shortly after the arrest, detectives, with assistance from the Operations Support Group (OSG) and Dog Unit, executed a search warrant at a home at Leumeah.
During the search, officers located and seized a powder believed to be MDMA and mobile phones.
The man was taken to Campbelltown Police Station and charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) and two counts of supply pistol to person unauthorised to possess it.
Police will allege in court that the man is a senior member of a criminal syndicate involved in the supply of firearms and prohibited drugs including MDMA and methylamphetamine (ice).
He appeared at Campbelltown Local Court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to next appear at Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday 15 July 2020.
About 6.30am yesterday, strike force investigators, with assistance from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS) and Dog Unit, executed a search warrant at a unit at Bondi Junction.
During the search, officers seized MDMA powder, MDMA pills, LSD tabs and $20,000 cash.
A 24-year-old man was arrested and taken to Waverley Police Station, where he was charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) and deal with property proceeds of crime.
It will be alleged in court that the man was involved in the supply of prohibited drugs as part of the criminal syndicate.
He appeared at Central Local Court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to next appear at Waverley Local Court on Thursday 16 July 2020.
Officers from the Drug and Firearms Squad, with assistance from Victoria Police (VICPOL), also arrested a third man, aged 36, at a unit at South Yarra, Victoria, about 6.30am yesterday (Thursday 21 May 2020).
The man appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court, where NSW Police Force detectives applied for and were granted his extradition to NSW.
The man was remanded in custody and will be escorted to Albury Police Station later today (Friday 22 May 2020), where charges are expected to be laid.
A fourth man, aged 40, was arrested at a correctional facility at Parklea about 9.50am yesterday.
He was taken to Riverstone Police Station and charged with two counts of supply prohibited firearm.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved with the supply of two pistols in October and November last year.
The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today.
Drug and Firearms Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Watson, believes these arrests puts yet another dent in the supply of illicit substances in NSW.
"It will be alleged in court that the syndicate was responsible for the supply of 5kg of MDMA, which had the potential to make approximately 80,000 MDMA pills, with an estimated street value of $1.6 million," Det Supt Watson said.
"Our focus with operations such as this is to break the supply chain at all levels and in doing so minimise the dangerous impact that illicit substances have in the community.
"The arrests should serve as a reminder to those who choose to be involved in the supply of prohibited drugs, regardless of whether you are at the head or the tail, NSW Police will investigate and make sure you are held accountable."
Investigations under Strike Force Grenville are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Grenville detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
