Two men, aged 40 and 41, were charged by Strike Force Meadowlake, which was established in March to investigate the importation and supply of prohibited drugs by an alleged organised crime network across south-western Sydney.
As part of the investigation, investigators targeted a sea cargo consignment from South Africa, which was listed as more than 5,325kg of cocoa powder, however an examination revealed the powder allegedly contained approximately 2.25 tonnes of cocaine.
Investigators replaced the powder in the sacks with an inert substance before the consignment was released for delivery under the surveillance of investigators.
Police allege that the items seized during the search warrants included a further 2kg cocaine, 6kg MDMA, four firearms – a pump-action shotgun, one rifle and two pistols – as well as ammunition, $55,000 cash, luxury items, prescribed restricted substances, cannabis and numerous prohibited weapons including knuckle dusters, an extendable baton, a taser baton, butterfly knife and two bullet-proof vests.
The 40-year-old was charged with deal with property – proceeds of crime – less than $100,000, possess unauthorised firearm (two counts), not keep firearm safely (two counts), possess ammunition with holding a licence (three counts), possess prescribed restricted substance (six counts), and possess prohibited weapon without a permit (four counts), and the 41-year-old was charged with possess prohibited weapon without a permit, possess unauthorised pistol, (two counts), not keep firearm safely (two counts), possess ammunition with holding a licence (two counts), supply prohibited drug – more than large commercial quantity (two counts), supply prohibited drug – more than indictable, less than commercial quantity (two counts), and possess prohibited drug.
Drugs in cocoa powder import
HOMES at Georges Hall, Bankstown and Greenacre, were among several raided during an investigation targeting a consignment of cocaine into Australia.
