The AFP has arrested an alleged drug trafficker following the discovery of more than $500,000 cash, cocaine and methamphetamine in a Rhodes unit.
The man, 27, was observed in an East Ryde street yesterday (20 November, 2024) where he was suspected to have collected an unknown amount of money related to a criminal activity.
AFP investigators followed him back to his apartment at Rhodes and then executed a search warrant, locating and seizing more than $500,000 cash, a number of bags suspected to contain cocaine and methamphetamine, a cash counting machine, drug paraphernalia and multiple mobile phones.
Investigators also located drug packaging suspected to be connected to a drug importation which took place in August, 2024.
The man was arrested and taken to AFP Eastern Command headquarters where he was charged with:
- One count of trafficking a marketable quantity of a controlled drug, contrary to section 302.3 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years' imprisonment; and
- One count of deal with the criminal proceeds of crime, greater than or equal to $100,000, contrary to section 400.4 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). This offence carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment.
The man appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court today (21 November, 2024) where he was formally refused bail. He is expected to return to the same court on 15 January, 2025.
AFP Detective Superintendent Bill Polychronopoulos, who leads the AFP's Taskforce Gain, said the AFP was committed to protecting the community from the scourge of drugs.
"The AFP is working tirelessly to make Australia a hostile environment for organised crime syndicates," Det Supt Polychronopoulos said.
"Criminals involved in drug trafficking do not care about the harm they cause to Australian communities - they put our community at risk of violence for their own greed.
"Arrests like this are a key part of the AFP disrupting the impact criminal organisations have on our communities when peddling these harmful substances."
