Last year, Operation Phobetor was formed to target and disrupt serious organised crime and allegedly identified several transnational organised criminal networks (OCNs) working collaboratively to import illicit drugs from several countries into NSW.
During the investigation, detectives 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 well as raiding 16 properties, police carried out a subsequent controlled delivery in Bankstown 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. A further $1.4 million was allegedly seized as part of this operation.
Five men were arrested during the operation and face serious charges, including a 44-year-old man 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, a 30-year-old man 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, while the 28-year-old man arrested during the vehicle stop, was charged with supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, and his passenger released.
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.
