Organised Crime Squad detectives have charged a sixth man as part of ongoing investigations into the alleged supply of prohibited drugs and money laundering valued at more than $5.5 million.
Earlier this year, Organised Crime Squad detectives established Strike Force Garlow to investigate a criminal syndicate involved in the supply and manufacture of prohibited drugs across NSW.
On Tuesday 1 June 2021, officers from Murrumbidgee Police District stopped a Mitsubishi Triton utility on the Sturt Highway, Hay.
Investigators searched the vehicle and seized 30kg of methylamphetamine (ice), 11kg of MDMA, 3kg of heroin, and 4kg of cocaine.
The driver – a 65-year-old man – was charged and remains before the courts.
Following further inquiries, a Toyota Camry was stopped on the M5, near the Henry Lawson Drive exit, on Friday 9 July 2021.
During a search of the vehicle, police seized 17kg of cocaine and 8kg of methylamphetamine (ice).
Later that day, police executed a search warrant at an apartment in Kogarah, where they seized items consistent with large-scale drug supply.
Two men – aged 25 and 24 – were charged and remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, police arrested a further two men – aged 35 and 48 – during a vehicle stop at Ourimbah on Tuesday 7 September 2021.
Two police vehicles were allegedly rammed by a Toyota Kluger during the incident, causing a male senior constable to sustain a minor injury.
In a subsequent search of an Ourimbah home and a rural property at Kulnura, police seized 10kg of methylamphetamine (ice), a large quantity of methylamphetamine oil, drug paraphernalia, an electronic stun device, a ballistic vest and $220,000 cash.
Officers also seized more than 20kg of precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs, and equipment consistent with the large-scale manufacture of prohibited drugs.
Both men were charged and remain before the courts.
About 8.15am on Thursday (7 October 2021), detectives arrested a 24-year-old St Marys man at Mt Druitt Police Station.
He was charged with two counts of knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime.
Police will allege in court that the man knowingly dealt with proceeds of crime valued at $5,504,480.
He appeared at Mt Druitt Local Court the same day and is next due to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday 2 December 2021.
