Police have dismantled an alleged drug syndicate with the arrest of 11 people in Sydney’s south-west this morning, NSW Police say.
The State Crime Command’s Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad (MEOCS) established Strike Force Kentgrove in May 2016 to proactively target organised criminal activities across Sydney.
As part of their investigations, strike force officers detected the supply of prohibited drugs, including cocaine, methylamphetamine (ice), and cannabis.
Following extensive inquiries, MEOCS, with the assistance of the Public Order and Riot Squad, South West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad, and the Dog Unit, executed four search warrants at homes in Bass Hill, Belmore, Greenacre, and Punchbowl, about 6.30am today (Thursday 30 November 2017).
Four men – aged 19, 20, 21 and 31 – were arrested at the homes and taken to local police stations.
The 19-year-old Greenacre man was charged with 19 counts of drug supply, and knowingly direct activities of a criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court tomorrow (Friday 1 December 2017).
The 20-year-old Bass Hill man was charged with two counts of take part supply prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug ongoing basis, and knowingly direct activities of a criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court today.
The 21-year-old Belmore man was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, and knowingly participate in criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court today.
The 31-year-old Punchbowl man was charged with three counts of deal with property proceeds of crime, supply prohibited drug, and knowingly participate in criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court today.
Shortly after, strike force investigators attended various homes across south-west Sydney and arrested a further seven people, who were also taken to local police stations.
A 19-year-old Rhodes man was charged with 15 counts of supply prohibited drug, and knowingly participate in criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court today.
A 22-year-old Punchbowl man was charged with two counts of drug supply, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and participate in criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court tomorrow.
A 27-year-old Greenacre man was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug, and participate in criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court today.
A 31-year-old Yagoona woman was charged with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, and deal with property proceeds of crime. She was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 19 December 2017.
A 32-year-old Revesby man was charged with five counts of supply prohibited drug, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and participate in criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court today.
A 34-year-old Yagoona man is expected to be charged later this afternoon.
A 43-year-old Punchbowl man was charged with 13 counts of supply prohibited drug and participate in criminal group. He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court today.
In total, strike force investigators have arrested more than 40 people and laid more than 150 charges. In addition, they have seized large quantities of ice and cannabis, 11 firearms, designer shoes and handbags worth more than $50,000, and more than $900,000 cash, which is alleged to be proceeds of crime.
Inquiries are continuing.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to drug supply in the community to call Crime Stoppers.
