Also seize snakes, lizards at property
A 25-YEAR-OLD Berala man is one of nine people facing serious drug charges after NSW Police dismantled an alleged criminal syndicate last week following an investigation into the supply of MDMA and LSD across Sydney.
Police also allegedly seized 21 reptiles, including blue-tongue lizards and snakes, during a search of the man’s Berala home, with the animals placed into the care of Sydney Metro Wildlife Service. STRIKE Force Hiddenite was formed by the Surry Hills Region Enforcement Squad (RES) in July last year to investigate and target the supply of prohibited drugs, mainly MDMA and LSD.
On Wednesday, Hiddenite investigators raided properties in Berala, Campsie, Fairfield, Leumeah, Cabramatta, Oakville and Macquarie Park.
During the searches, officers allegedly seized more than $8,000 in cash, a replica firearm, mobile phones, drug manufacturing and supply equipment, prescription medication and prohibited drugs including MDMA, LSD, cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy.
A 25-year-old Berala man arrested outside a business at Menai, was charged with participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity, three counts of supplying a prohibited drug indictable quantity, and dealing with property proceeds of crime.
A 34-year-old man and 23-year-old woman arrested at Leumeah; a 22-year-old Cabramatta man; a 38-year-old man and a 51-year-old man, both arrested at Campsie; a 21-year-old Oakville woman; a 27-year-old Macquarie Park man; and a 24-year-old South Kempsey woman are also facing a range of drug related charges.
Surry Hills RES commander, Detective Chief Inspector Steven Patton, described the investigation as “extensive and complex” and said SF Hiddenite officers had seized the equivalent of 83,000 individual hallucinogenic tabs.
“We know these prohibited drugs were being sold at music events, rave and dance parties and at licensed premises around Sydney, which is of great concern to police,” he said.
