Organised Crime Squad detectives have charged three men and seized 7kg of heroin as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs by an organised crime syndicate.
In November 2019, Strike Force Alverton was established as a joint investigation by the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad, the NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC) and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) into the supply of prohibited drugs.
Acting on information as a result of inquiries, strike force detectives, with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU), attended a hotel on the Hume Highway at Bass Hill about 1.45pm yesterday (Wednesday 1 July 2020).
Two men, aged 29 and 23, were arrested inside the hotel, before a third and fourth man, aged 35 and 29, were arrested outside the building as they attempted to drive away from the location in a white Mazda CX5. All four men were taken to Bankstown Police Station.
Inside the hotel room where the first two men were apprehended, officers located and seized 7kg of heroin with a street value of over $3 million and $1.9 million in cash.
Subsequent search warrants were executed at properties in the Blue Mountains, Cabramatta, Canley Vale and Guildford with the assistance of North West Metropolitan and South West Metropolitan Regional Enforcement Squads and the Operations Support Group (OSG).
Across the four locations police seized $247,000 cash, cocaine, cannabis, prescription drugs, hard drives, a CCTV recording device, and mobile phones.
The 35-year-old man was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime.
Police will allege in court that the Cabramatta man was the senior member of a criminal syndicate and facilitated the supply of a commercial quantity of prohibited drugs across Sydney.
A 29-year-old man was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), possess prohibited drug and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The 23-year-old man was charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
All three men were refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court today (Thursday 2 July 2020).
The second 29-year-old man was released without charge pending further inquiries.
Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman, Commander of the Organised Crime Squad said the operation was a successful example of agencies working together to keep the community safe.
“Over the course of this investigation, police have seized 10kg of MDMA in addition to yesterday’s seizure of 7kg of heroin,” Det Supt Fileman said.
“These arrests are significant because had these drugs reached the streets, the impact on the community could be devastating.
“The NSW Police, along with our partnering agencies, will continue to disrupt and dismantle criminal groups involved in drug distrubtion and put those responsible before the courts.”
Investigations under Strike Force Alverton are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Alverton investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
