Criminal Groups Squad detectives have charged five men as part of ongoing investigations into organised criminal syndicates operating across Sydney.
In April last year, detectives from the State Crime Command's Criminal Groups Squad established Strike Force Strond to investigate an alleged criminal syndicate involved in the importation and supply of illicit drugs across the state.
About 7.45am today (Tuesday 13 July 2021), detectives arrested a 23-year-old man at a home at Kogarah.
He was taken to Kogarah Station and charged with 12 offences including;
- Aid and/or abet an attempted offence – import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug (x2),
- conspiracy to commit offence – import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug,
- participate criminal group contribute criminal activity (x2),
- deal with property proceeds of crime,
- knowingly deal with proceeds of crime (x2),
- supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity x2),
- supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), and
- contravene requirement in order under section 3LA.
He was refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court today (Tuesday 13 July 2021).
In a separate investigation, Criminal Groups Squad detectives – as part of Strike Force Vidar – commenced investigations into the illicit activities of alleged criminal networks across the state.
As part of ongoing targeting and disruption, investigators arrested three men – aged 31 and two aged 39 – at homes at Shellharbour, Elizabeth Hills and Bonnyrigg Heights from 6am today.
The 31-year-old Shellharbour man – who is a Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang (OMCG) member – was charged with four offences including; break and enter do indictable offence, steal motor vehicle, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner and deal with property proceeds of crime. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court on Tuesday 3 August 2021.
The 39-year-old Elizabeth Hills man was charged with 12 offences including seven counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), two counts of supply cannabis (indictable quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), deal with property proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The 39-year-old Bonnyrigg Heights man was charged with nine offences including; five counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), two counts of supply cannabis (indictable quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court today (Tuesday 13 July 2021).
Investigators have also laid additional charges against a fifth man – aged 30.
The man was issued a Court Attendance Notice (CAN) for five offences: including four counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), and possess unregistered firearm-prohibited firearm.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday 5 August 2021.
Investigations by Criminal Groups Squad are continuing.
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.
