Strike Force Aramac detectives have charged five people and dismantled a Serbian organised criminal syndicate, whose activities were uncovered as part of the re-investigation into the 1994 disappearance of Revelle Balmain.
Revelle Balmain, then aged 22, was last seen in the Kingsford area on Saturday 5 November 1994.
Despite extensive investigations by local police at the time and over the years, no one has been charged in relation to her disappearance.
A Coronial Inquest in 1999 found that Revelle had died at the hands of a person or persons unknown, and the matter was referred to the Unsolved Homicide Unit for future investigation.
Last year, a formal review of the case was conducted under the new unsolved framework and assigned to a senior detective from the Central Metropolitan Region for re-investigation under Strike Force Aramac.
Officers are continuing to re-investigate the circumstances surrounding Revelle's disappearance and suspected murder and have since engaged with the NSW Coroner as inquiries continue.
As part of the re-investigation, Strike Force Aramac officers uncovered information relating to a criminal syndicate operating across Sydney, allegedly involved in the cultivation and supply of prohibited drugs, as well as the coordinated theft and on-sale of luxury goods.
Following extensive inquiries, officers executed four search warrants at properties at Maroubra and Randwick, and a crime scene warrant at a property at Surry Hills, from 6am yesterday (Thursday 2 December 2021).
Strike Force Aramac investigators were assisted throughout the operation by officers attached to Central Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad North, Eastern Beaches Police Area Command and the Central Metropolitan Region Operations Support Group.
During the searches, officers located indoor hydroponic cannabis set-ups at three units at Randwick, containing a combined total of 102 cannabis plants and 8kg dried cannabis.
The estimated potential street value of the cannabis seized is more than $400,000.
During the search at Maroubra, officers uncovered an 'Aladdin's cave' of suspected stolen luxury goods, including designer handbags, clothing, shoes and watches, as well as high-end wine and spirits.
The estimated potential street value of the luxury goods seized more than $150,000.
Five men – aged between 50 and 65 – were arrested during the operation and taken to Surry Hills Police Station.
A 63-year-old Maroubra man was charged with 36 offences including; 29 counts of shoplifting, two counts of enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse, two counts of take part cultivate cannabis (indictable quantity), goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle), deal with property proceeds of crime and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
A 59-year-old Randwick man was charged with 21 offences including; 16 counts of shoplifting, two counts of enhanced indoor cultivate cannabis for commercial purpose, supply cannabis (indictable quantity), goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle), and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
A 65-year-old Randwick man was charged with enhanced indoor cultivate cannabis for commercial purpose, possess prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
A second 65-year-old Randwick man was charged with enhanced indoor cultivate cannabis for commercial purpose, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, supply cannabis (indictable quantity), and deal with property proceeds of crime.
A 50-year-old Matraville man was charged with enhanced indoor cultivate cannabis for commercial purpose, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, supply cannabis (indictable quantity), and deal with property proceeds of crime.
All five men were refused bail and are due to appear at Central Local Court today (Friday 3 December 2021).
Investigations under Strike Force Aramac are ongoing.
A $1 million NSW Government reward remains in place for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person/s responsible for Revelle's disappearance and suspected murder, and/or information relating to the location of her remains.
Anyone with information which may assist Strike Force Aramac detectives is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
