Detectives have charged five men and two women over their alleged involvement in supplying drugs – including cannabis-infused confectionary and sweets – through an online marketplace.
In May 2020, detectives from Kings Cross Police Area Command established Strike Force Leafed Out to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs through an online website.
Following extensive investigations, detectives arrested a 30-year-old man at a home on Bayswater Road, Potts Point, about 6am on Wednesday (2 September 2020).
The French National was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug, three counts of possess prohibited drug, and participate in criminal group.
He was refused bail and appeared before Central Local Court the same day, where he was formally granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 17 September 2020.
Following further inquiries, police arrested a second French National – a 31-year-old man – at a home on Charles Street, Canterbury, just after 9.30am on Thursday (3 September 2020).
He was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug, and participate in criminal group. The man was refused bail and faced Burwood Local Court yesterday (Friday 4 September 2020), where he was granted conditional bail to reappear in the same court on Friday 16 October 2020.
Police will allege in court that both men were involved in the supply of MDMA online.
Following further inquiries, officers attended a unit on Nipper Street, Homebush, and arrested a 28-year-old man about 6.15am on Thursday (3 September 2020).
The Taiwanese National was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug, and deal with proceeds of crime. He was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 13 October 2020.
A short time later, strike force detectives executed another search warrant on Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont, where they arrested two further Taiwanese nationals, a 28-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman.
The man was charged with eight counts of supply prohibited drug, five counts of possess prohibited drug, supply cannabis, deal with the proceeds of crime, and never licensed person drive vehicle on road.
The woman was charged with supply prohibited drug, two counts of deal with property the proceeds of crime, four counts of supply prohibited drug, and supply cannabis.
Police will allege in court that the pair were involved in the supply of cannabis-infused baked goods through the website.
They were both refused bail and appeared in Central Local Court on Friday (4 September 2020), where they were granted conditional bail to appear in the same court on Friday 18 September 2020.
Just after 6am on Friday (4 September 2020), police executed a search warrant at a home on Glencoe Street, Sutherland.
During the search, police located nearly 4kg of cannabis-infused food – including jelly lollies, chocolate and baked goods – about 1.6kg of cannabis, cannabis oil, cash, mobile phones and clothing.
These items were seized to undergo forensic examination.
A 25-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were arrested at the property and taken to Sutherland Police Station.
The 25-year-old man was charged with 12 counts of supply prohibited drug, deal with proceeds of crime, and participate in criminal group.
The 23-year-old woman was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug, deal with proceeds of crime, and participate in criminal group.
Police will allege in court that the pair delivered the cannabis-infused confectionary to users at a number of locations in Sydney's inner-city between July and August 2020.
They were refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Court yesterday (Saturday 5 September 2020), where they were formally refused bail to reappear at Central Local Court on Tuesday (8 September 2020).
Kings Cross Police Area Commander, Superintendent Paul Carrett, said policing strategies have evolved to target the way people buy and sell drugs.
"Online drug supply is certainly not new, but it poses a unique challenge to law enforcement to detect drug transactions," Supt Carrett said.
"This operation sends a clear message to people who believe they can avoid police detection, that we will continue to target the supply of prohibited drugs using various methods, whether that is online or within the community.
"The sale of drug-infused goods in what looks like unsuspecting food items poses a significant risk to the community.
"Not only are these drugs illegal, they are also incredibly dangerous – you simply don't know what you're taking or how it will affect your health."
Investigations under Strike Force Leafed Out are ongoing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Leafed Out investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
