Organised Crime Squad detectives have charged two men as part of an investigation into an alleged drug ring being run out of a Sydney detention centre.
Strike Force Brevifolia was established by State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad and the NSW Crime Commission in May 2024 to investigate a number of criminal networks supplying large commercial quantities of drugs across NSW.
As part of inquiries, detectives – with assistance from Australian Border Force (ABF) – identified a syndicate being run out of an immigration detention centre in Villawood.
Just before 4pm on Thursday 11 July 2024, strike force officers executed a search warrant at the centre, where they arrested a 49-year-old man.
During a search of the unit, police located three mobile phones.
Police had also previously seized two kilograms of methylamphetamine and $169,000 in cash linked to the syndicate.
The man was taken to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with two counts of supply indictable quantity of prohibited drug, supply large commercial quantity of prohibited drug and direct criminal group.
He was refused bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court on Friday 12 July 2024.
Police will allege in court the man was using an encrypted messaging service to deal large quantities of methylamphetamine.
Police will further allege the man had established a network of runners outside of the detention centre, who he coordinated and tasked to carry out the transactions on his behalf.
About 7.50am on Wednesday 24 July 2024, strike force detectives – with assistance from the Public Order & Riot Squad – executed a search warrant at an address in Liverpool.
During the search, police located 750 grams of methylamphetamine and 90 grams of heroin in a toilet bowl, in what police will allege was an attempt to dispose of the drugs.
A further 90 grams of heroin was found on the bathroom floor.
Police also located and seized $325,000 in cash and a Dedicated Encrypted Criminal Communication Device (DECCD).
A 24-year-old man was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station where he was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug >indictable &= large commercial quantity, deal with property proceeds of crime $100000, and participate criminal group contribute criminal.
He was refused bail and appeared in Liverpool Local Court the same day.
Police will allege the man was a runner for the older man in detention.
