The State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Heighway last June to investigate a criminal syndicate involved in the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs, uncovering the disappearance and suspected murder of 24-year-old ‘Jacky’ Chong Kai Wong.
Last Friday strike force detectives raided a home in Berala, seizing cash, electronic devices and documentation, and charged a 33-year-old man with murder, conceal serious indictable offence of other, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal, dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, and cultivate prohibited plant – commercial quantity.
Further inquiries led police to execute two search warrants at homes at Marsfield and Auburn, and a crime scene warrant at a rural property in Killongbutta – about 40km north-west of Bathurst.
A 22-year-old Auburn man was charged with murder, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, cultivate prohibited plant – commercial quantity, cultivate cannabis – indictable quantity, and supply prohibited drug, while a 28-year-old man has been charged with conceal serious indictable offence (more than 20 years maximum) of other, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, cultivate prohibited plant – commercial quantity, cultivate cannabis – indictable quantity, supply prohibited drug, and possess prohibited drug.
Drug and Firearms Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Watson, said police believe Jacky was involved with an organised criminal syndicate when he was violently murdered.
“We know Jacky was working for a criminal enterprise involved in the cultivation of cannabis in regional NSW around the time of his alleged murder,” Det Supt Watson said.
“The circumstances of his death are particularly gruesome, and officers remain at the Killongbutta property today in search of his body and to locate any further forensic evidence.
“These criminal groups are known for targeting young individuals with the promise of easy money, which often leads to them working in illegal grow houses on remote properties.
“This is a sad reminder of the reality of these operations: they are run by dangerous criminals who care only about a quick profit and have no dignity or regard for human life.”
Auburn, Berala men charged with murder
TWO men from Auburn and Berala have been charged as police continue to search a rural property in the state’s Central West for the body of a Malaysian National believed to have been murdered.