POLICE have released an image of a vehicle of interest in the investigation into the kidnapping of a man found on the side of the road in East Hills last October.
About 12.40pm on Saturday, October 24, police attended a unit block on Morrison Road, Ryde, following reports a man had been violently abducted from the underground car park.
A crime scene was established and following initial inquiries, the matter was referred to detectives from the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad, who commenced an investigation under Strike Force Nicotiana.
Three days later, the injured 20-year-old was found near the intersection of Henry Lawson Drive and Maclaurin Avenue, East Hills. Paramedics treated him at the scene before he was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Strike force detectives have released CCTV footage of a 2016 white HiAce van that entered the underground carpark just prior to the man being violently abducted.
At the time the vision was captured, stolen number plates were fixed to the van and the front windscreen had distinctive markings.
Woman in large ice bust
Strike Force Dowed was established last November to investigate a criminal syndicate involved in the supply of methylamphetamine across the south west metropolitan region.
Following extensive inquiries, officers arrested three men and a woman during an operation last Thursday, which included raids at homes in Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Mt Pritchard and Yagoona.
During the searches, police allegedly seized $45,500 cash and methylamphetamine (ice), while a large-scale clandestine laboratory was located at the Cabramatta West home.
The 54-year-old Yagoona woman was charged with 10 offences including supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), eight counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, while a 51-year-old Mt Pritchard man was charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), nine counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, a 51-year-old Cabramatta West man was charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), four counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and a 61-year-old Cabramatta man was charged with nine offences including; supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), four counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and three counts of possess prohibited drug.
Anyone with information about the van or this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
