PLEASE NOTE: Images are available on the NSWPF social media pages
Drug and Firearms Squad detectives have charged three people following an investigation into the importation and supply of prohibited drugs in Sydney's West under Operation Phobetor-Matton.
Operation Phobetor-Matton was established in 2022 as a joint operation combining resources from the NSW Police Force (NSWPF), the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). Australian Border Force subsequently assisted investigations.
As part of ongoing inquiries, about 3pm on Friday (20 October 2023) The NSW Police Drug and Firearms Squad, assisted by local and specialist units including the Tactical Operations Unit, PolAir, and the Forensic Evidence & Technical Services Command – arrested three men at a storage unit in Homebush.
Simultaneously, Drug & Firearm Squad detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad officers – executed five search warrants in Lakemba, Roselands, Wiley Park and Jordan Springs
During the searches, police located approximately 100kg of pseudoephedrine, more than $200 000 cash, scales, a money counter, and luxury jewellery.
The men – aged 49, 46 and 36 – were taken to Burwood Police Station, where the eldest man was charged with following 4 offences:
- Supply prohibited drug more than or equal to large commercial quantity
- Supply prohibited drug more than or equal to commercial quantity
- Supply prohibited drug more than indictable less than commercial quantity
- Participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The 46-year-old man was charged with 9 offences:
- Three counts of supply prohibited drug more than or equal to large commercial quantity
- Supply prohibited drug more than or equal to commercial quantity
- Two counts of supply prohibited drug more than indictable and less than commercial quantity
- Knowingly direct activities of criminal group
- Knowingly deal with proceeds of crime
- Recklessly deal with proceeds of crime more than $5,000
The youngest man was charged with 8 offences:
- Three counts of supply prohibited drug more than or equal to large commercial quantity
- Supply prohibited drug more than or equal to commercial quantity
- Participate criminal group contribute criminal activity
- Knowingly deal with proceeds of crime
- Supply prohibited drug more than indictable and less than commercial quantity
- Recklessly deal with proceeds of crime more than $5,000
The three men were all refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday (21 October 2023).
Police will allege in court the men were part of a sophisticated drug supply syndicate. Pseudoephedrine is a principal ingredient in the manufacture of prohibited drugs, with the mount seized capable of producing more than $30 million dollars of street level methylamphetamine.
Investigations under Operation Phobetor-Matton 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.
