Drug arrests disrupt transnational criminal syndicate
A multi-agency taskforce has disrupted an international drug syndicate and seized large quantities of narcotics in inner western Sydney.
Two men were arrested as a result of information supplied by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC), which prompted the Joint Organised Crime Group (JOCG) to initiate Operation Fenway in early July 2012.
The JOCG is a taskforce targeting organised crime and comprises the Australian Federal Police (AFP), NSW Police Force, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, the NSW Crime Commission and the ACC.
At midday yesterday (19 July 2012), approximately 40 kilograms of Ice was seized in Campsie. It is estimated the methamphetamine has a street value of approximately $128 million (approximate wholesale value $10 million).
Police arrested a 47-year-old Lidcombe man and a 54-year-old Chinese national as a result of a JOCG investigation into the supply of large commercial quantities amounts of methamphetamines.
Following the arrests in Campsie, the JOCG conducted further search warrants in Campsie, Lidcombe and Holroyd and seized an additional three kilograms of Ice, half a kilogram of cocaine and approximately $2.6 million in cash.
The two men have been charged with state-based offences including supply large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, contrary to NSW Drugs Misuse and Trafficking Act, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The men are both scheduled to appear in Burwood Court today (20 July 2012).
ACC National Manager Intervention Warren Gray said the result reinforced the value of criminal intelligence in breaking the business of serious and organised crime in Australia.
“Through information generated by the ACC’s Fusion Capability, which brings together criminal intelligence from a variety of sources, we were able to work with our partners to disrupt this Australian based syndicate.
“I would like to recognise the rapid response by NSW Police and AFP that led to yesterday’s arrests.”
AFP Manager Serious and Organised Crime Commander David Sharpe said these two arrests are the result of excellent cooperation with our law enforcement partners who are committed to reducing the availability of narcotics in Australia.
“Our joint efforts to combat this crime will not stop here, we will continue to work together to keep drugs off the streets in Australia,” Commander Sharpe said.
"Crime syndicates operate across borders, and the NSW Police Force is committed to working with other agencies to drive down organised crime," Acting Assistant Commissioner Malcolm Lanyon, Acting Commander, NSW Police State Crime Command, said.
“Yesterday's operation has successfully prevented a significant quantity of illicit drugs entering our streets and causing harm to the community.”
“This is another great example of the results that can be achieved when we combine our law enforcement powers” commented Kingsley Woodford Smith, National Manager of Investigations, Customs and Border Protection.
Investigations are ongoing and police have not ruled out further arrests.
Source: Australian Federal Police
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