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 allegedly identified several transnational organised criminal networks (OCNs) working collaboratively to import illicit drugs from several countries into NSW.
During the course of this investigation, Operation Phobetor detectives – with assistance from Australian Border Force (ABF) officers, United States Homeland Security Investigations and other international law enforcement partners – allegedly intercepted and seized about 220kg of methylamphetamine in Los Angeles, bound for Australia, about 60kg of cocaine at a Sydney freight depot concealed inside pieces of machinery, and $960,000 cash. It’s believed the cocaine seized was sourced in Germany.
As part of ongoing inquiries, strike force investigators – assisted by the Raptor Squad, Public Order and Riot Squad, Operational Support Group, and AFP officers – executed 16 Commonwealth and State search warrants at properties and businesses in Picton, Earlwood, Hoxton Park, Belfield, Cabarita, Rockdale, Penhurst, Guildford, Greenacre, Smithfield, Fairfield, Liverpool and Wetherill Park early Wednesday morning.
During the warrants, police allegedly located and seized more than $1.2 million cash, a rifle, ammunition, gold bullion, cigarettes, cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, steroids, electronic devices, cryptocurrency wallets, and documents. All seized items will undergo further forensic examination.
Five men aged 30, 33, 38, 41, and 44 were arrested during the operation.
Police said a subsequent controlled delivery was conducted in Sydney about 8.30am, with Tactical Operations Unit officers arresting two men, aged 28 and 32, during a vehicle stop at the intersection of the Hume Highway and Chapel Road, Bankstown. A further $1.4 million was allegedly seized as part of this operation.
The 33-year-old man was arrested at Picton and charged with nine offences, including supply commercial quantity prohibited drug, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, possess prohibited drug and six counts of supply indictable quantity prohibited drug.
The 38-year-old man was arrested at Earlwood and charged with eight offences, including four counts of conspiracy to commit offence import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, two counts of deal with property proceeds of crime, and one count each of commit an offence for the benefit of organisation, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The 44-year-old man was arrested at Sefton and charged with two counts of import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, and one count of commit offence for benefit of organisation.
The 41-year-old man was arrested at a business in Wetherill Park and charged with three counts of import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, and one count of commit offence for benefit of organisation.
The 30-year-old man was arrested at a home in Belfield and charged with conspiracy to commit offence import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, and commit offence for benefit of organisation.
The 28-year-old man arrested during the vehicle stop was charged with supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug.
The 32-year-old man was released pending further inquiries.
Homeland Security Investigations officers executed a simultaneous search warrant in Los Angeles and arrested a 23-year-old man.
Police located and seized 128kg of methylamphetamine, 55kg of crystal MDMA, 18kg of cocaine, and approximately $15,000USD.
