A seventh man has been charged following a joint-agency investigation into the alleged importation of prohibited drugs into Australia, where more than $2.5 million cash and in excess of 300kg of methylamphetamine and cocaine were seized.
In 2021, detectives from the NSW Police Force’s State Crime Command, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), established Operation Phobetor to target and disrupt serious organised crime in NSW.
As part of investigative inquiries under Strike Forces Cunich and Eos, investigators identified several transnational organised criminal networks (OCNs) working collaboratively to import illicit drugs from several countries into NSW.
Six men – aged between 28 and 44 – were arrested and charged in November 2022 in relation to Strike Forces Cunich and Eos; they all remain before the courts.
Following extensive inquiries, a 21-year-old man attended Surry Hills Police Station where he was arrested by strike force detectives about 10.30am on Tuesday (14 February 2023).
He was charged with import commercial quantity border-controlled drug, supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime, and deal with property proceeds of crime.
He was refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court that same day, where he was formally bail refused to reappear at the same court today (Friday 17 February 2023).
