PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF-branded footage of the arrests mentioned below, images of previous seizures and the press conference will be available via Hightail later today
NSW Police have arrested a total of 28 people, executed 43 warrants and seized 25 firearms as part of large-scale investigation by the Organised Crime Squad targeting one of the most powerful Organised Criminal Networks (OCN) in Australian history.
Strike Force Tromperie was established by State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad and the NSW Crime Commission – with assistance from Australian Border Force – to target the activities of a syndicate originating from Lebanon, linked to the movement of over $1 billion through firearm, drug, tobacco, and money laundering offences.
As part of inquiries, Organised Crime Squad detectives were granted a warrant for the arrest of a 37-year-old man believed to be offshore in Lebanon. The man is wanted by virtue of an outstanding warrant in relation to alleged drug related offences.
The year-long investigation resulted in a 450-officer strong operation, during which police arrested 24 people and executed 37 search warrants in the Sydney metropolitan area this week.
The onshore resolution began about 11.50am on Sunday (12 November 2023), when strike force detectives intercepted and arrested a 40-year-old man at Sydney International Airport.
The man was taken to Mascot Police Station where he was charged with nine offences, including knowingly direct activities of criminal group, three counts of supply prohibited drugs, and five counts of deal with property proceeds of crime in excess of $4.4 million.
He was refused bail and appeared before Downing Centre Local Court on Monday (13 November 2023), where police alleged the man was one of the onshore facilitators of the Organised Criminal Network (OCN).
Detectives were assisted by Raptor Squad, the Tactical Operations Unit, State Intelligence Command, and officers and detector dogs from Australian Border Force for the execution of the warrants between 5.30am yesterday (Tuesday 14 November 2023) and 8am today (Wednesday 15 November 2023).
Police arrested a total of 24 people across the two-day operation, including:
- A 46-year-old man arrested in Chipping Norton. He was taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with four offences including knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, take part supply prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity, possess DECCD to commit serious criminal activity and fail to comply with digital access order direction. The man was refused bail and appeared at Liverpool Local Court yesterday (Tuesday 14 November 2023), where police alleged he was one of the onshore facilitators of the OCN.
- During a search warrant in Greenacre, strike force officers arrested a 38-year-old man. He was taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with 16 offences including knowingly direct activities of criminal group, possess DECCD to commit etc serious criminal activity, as well as multiple drug supply-related offences. The man was refused bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court today (Wednesday 15 November 2023), where police will allege he was one of the onshore facilitators of the OCN.
- At Georges Hall, strike force detectives arrested a 26-year-old man. He was taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with possess unauthorised pistol, possess ammunition, possess DECCD to commit etc serious criminal activity and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction. The man was refused bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court today, where police will allege the man was involved in providing the Dedicated Encrypted Criminal Communication Devices (DECCDs) for the network.
- In Moorebank, strike force officers arrested a man and woman, both aged 27. They were taken to Liverpool Police Station, where the man was charged with 16 offences and the woman was charged with 11 offences relating to the seizure of four firearms, drug supply offences, and participating in a criminal group. They were both refused bail and appeared before Liverpool Local Court yesterday.
- In Bonnyrigg, police arrested a 38-year-old man. He was taken to Fairfield Police Station, where he was charged with six offences including participate in criminal group and drug-related offences. The man was refused bail to appear before Fairfield Local Court today.
- During a search warrant at a Punchbowl address, police arrested a 23-year-old man. He was taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with three counts of possess DECCD to commit etc serious criminal activity. The man was refused bail and appeared at Bankstown Local Court yesterday.
- In Horningsea Park, police arrested a 26-year-old man. He was taken to Liverpool Police Station, where he was charged with seven driving related offences. The man was refused bail and appeared before Liverpool Local Court yesterday.
- At a search warrant in Roselands, Tactical Operations Unit officers arrested a 27-year-old man. He was taken to Campsie Police Station where he was charged with 11 offences relating to the supply of firearms, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, possession of prohibited weapons, possession of prohibited drugs, and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction. The man was refused bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court today.
- The Tactical Operations Unit also arrested a 31-year-old man in Glen Alpine. He was taken to Campbelltown Police Station, where he was charged with six offences relating to firearm and drug-related offences. The man was refused bail to appear before Campbelltown Local Court today.
- On Wednesday 15 November 2023, strike force detectives arrested three men at separate warrants in Guildford, Granville and San Souci. Two men aged 31 and 32 were taken to Granville Police Station, and a third 35-year-old man was taken to St George Police Station, where charges are expected.
Across the course of the investigation, a total of 25 firearms have been seized, as well as over 60 DECCDs, nearly $1.5 million in cash, $2 million in cryptocurrency, a Lamborghini, over $3 million worth of luxury watches, equipment consistent with drug manufacture, and two tonnes of prohibited drugs and precursor drugs with a street value of over $130 million.
All items have been seized to undergo further forensic examination.
Deputy Commissioner David Hudson said this investigation has dismantled one of the most significant and powerful criminal networks in Australian history.
"Strike Force Tromperie is a great example of the capabilities of the NSWPF to target an entire criminal network from the drug, firearm and DECCD manufacturers to those laundering large amounts of cash via complex methods.
"The dismantling of this syndicate is the result of an in-depth 12-month investigation and co-ordination of over 450 police officers who's hard work has put these alleged members behind bars.
"We will allege this international network had tentacles far-reaching into all levels of organised crime here in NSW and is believed to have controlled the illicit drug trade through methods as price determining and fixing," Deputy Commissioner Hudson said.
"We also believe this alleged criminal syndicate was capable of serious and violent crime, and our state is a safer place with them off our streets."
Executive Director of the NSW Crime Commission Darren Bennett said they are proud to support the NSWPF in a law-enforcement resolution of this scale.
"For us, the hard work starts now as we continue our with work with the NSWPF to track down and freeze every illegal asset that has been gained through this criminal network," Executive Director Bennet said.
"Those assets belong to – and will ultimately be returned to – the people of NSW."
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.
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