PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF-branded images of the items seized will be available later today.
Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged five men over an alleged kidnapping attempt which led to the discovery of 722kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of over $1 billion.
About 6.25am yesterday (Monday 18 December 2023), officers attached to State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and Ryde Police Area Command attended a unit block on Blaxland Road in Ryde following reports of a break and enter.
Police arrived and found four men in the block's underground carpark sitting in a Toyota Yaris wearing all-black clothing and face coverings.
Detectives searched the males and car, locating items consistent with a kidnapping attempt including a 60cm crowbar, gloves, a meat cleaver, bladed knife, box cutter, flashing light bars and zip ties.
The men – aged 24, 23, 20 and 19 – were arrested and taken to Gladesville and Burwood Police Stations, where they were each charged with five offences:
- Aggravated break & enter etc in company intend steal,
- Armed with intent commit indictable offence,
- Possess housebreaking implements,
- Face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence, and
- Participate criminal group.
Detectives identified the intended victim of the foiled kidnapping and at about 10.45pm executed a search warrant at the associated unit where they located 722kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of over $1 billion.
The occupant of the unit – a 24-year-old man – was arrested and taken to Gladesville Police Station where he was charged with supply prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
All five men were refused bail to appear in Burwood Local Court today (Tuesday 19 December 2023)
Police will allege the four men broke into the unit complex with the intent to rob and kidnap the 24-year-old occupant.
WHEN: 12pm TODAY (Tuesday 19 December 2023)
WHERE: Curtis Cheng Media Centre,
NSW Police Headquarters, Parramatta
WHO: Detective Superintendent Joseph Doueihi,
Commander of State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad
