Organised Crime Squad detectives have charged two men following a joint investigation into the alleged cross-border drug activities of a Sydney based criminal syndicate under Strike Force Buckwong.
Strike Force Buckwong was established in December 2023 by State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad with Western Australia (WA) Police Force and the NSW Crime Commission.
During the investigation, it was established the syndicate was involved in transporting large amounts of prohibited drugs from NSW to WA and laundering the proceeds of the drug transactions.
NSW Police Force have previously seized $1.3 million in cash and charged five men who remain before the courts.
About 10.15am on Wednesday 13 November 2024, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – stopped a car in Condell Park.
During a search of the car, police located and seized $60,000 in cash, a DECCD and a small clear re-sealable bag containing approximately one gram of white powder, suspected to be cocaine.
The driver of the car – a 29-year-old man – was arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with Deal with property proceeds of crime < $100000 & > $5000, possess DECCD to commit etc serious criminal activity, possess prohibited drug, and participate in a criminal group.
He was granted conditional bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday 4 December 2024.
Police will allege in court this man was sent to collect money on behalf of the leader of the group.
A short time later, strike force detectives – with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit – arrested a 38-year-old man in Prairiewood.
The man was allegedly in possession of $53,500 in cash, and two DECCDs. Police had previously seized 6kgs of methylamphetamine believed to be linked to the man.
He was taken to Fairfield Police Station where he was charged with supply prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
The man was refused bail and appeared in Fairfield Local Court today (Thursday 14 November 2024).
Police will allege this man was the coordinator of the criminal syndicate.
Simultaneously, WA Police Force's Drug and Firearm Squad executed seven search warrants across regional and metro WA and arrested three men and three women.
During the warrants more than 10 kilograms of methylamphetamine, approximately $620,000 in cash and two firearms were seized.
Additionally, a number of cryptocurrency wallets identified as being used to launder proceeds from drug sales have been frozen.
The three men and three women have all been charged with serious drug, firearm and money laundering offences in Western Australia.
Through various lines of inquiry into cross-border drug operations, WA Police have arrested 54 people in total, seized more than $9 million in cash, 52 kilograms of prohibited drugs and 14 firearms.
Significant intelligence has been gathered during the investigation and further arrests and charges are expected.
Commander of NSW Police State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said often the movement of drugs is a borderless crime that requires collaboration across jurisdiction.
"The successful interdiction of this cross-border drug operation is a testament to the seamless cooperation and coordination between our state police forces," Det Supt Faux said.
"Working hand-in-hand with our counterparts in neighbouring states, we have demonstrated that no border can shield criminal activity from the long arm of the law."
WA Police serious and Organised Crime Division, Acting Detective Superintendent Jeff Beros, said targeting the movement of illicit drugs and cash across our state borders remains a priority for WA Police.
"The arrest of these six individuals and the head operator of this network has resulted in a significant disruption to a major crime group causing harm to our community," A/Det Superintendent Beros said.
"We will continue to work closely with NSW Police and our other partners to bring anyone operating a criminal drug and organised crime network to justice."
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