Two people will appear in court today, charged following further investigations into the discovery of 722kg of cocaine in a Ryde unit last year.
About 6.25am on Monday 18 December 2023, officers attached to State Crime Command's Robbery and Serious Crime Squad and Ryde Police Area Command attended a unit block on Blaxland Road in Ryde following reports of a break and enter.
Police arrived and found four men in the block's underground carpark sitting in a Toyota Yaris wearing all-black clothing and face coverings.
Detectives searched the males and car, locating items consistent with a kidnapping attempt including a 60cm crowbar, gloves, a meat cleaver, bladed knife, box cutter, flashing light bars and zip ties.
Detectives identified the intended victim of the foiled kidnapping and, at about 10.45pm the same day, executed a search warrant at the associated unit where they located 722kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of over $1 billion.
Five men were charged and remain before the courts.
Officers attached to State Crime Command's Drug & Firearms Squad then commenced further inquires into the origins of the cocaine under Strike Force Gisborne.
About 6am yesterday (Thursday 18 April 2024), strike force detectives – with assistance from Victoria Police – arrested a 26-year-old man in Rowville and a 21-year-old woman in South Morang.
The pair were taken to Melbourne West Police Station, where they were charged with take part supply prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity and participate in a criminal group.
The pair faced Melbourne Magistrates Court, where they were granted strict conditional bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Friday 19 April 2024).
Police will allege the pair were working collaboratively to supply and distribute the 722kg of cocaine within the Sydney Metropolitan.
Inquiries under Strike Force Gisborne continue.
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.
