Organised Crime Squad detectives have charged two people – including a Granville woman – following a three-year investigation into a criminal syndicate allegedly importing and supplying methamphetamine in NSW.
In 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad – assisted by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Department of Home Affairs, and the New South Wales Crime Commission (NSWCC) – commenced an investigation into the activities of an organised criminal network attempting to import methylamphetamine into Australia.
Detectives later established a strike force to continue the investigation of the syndicate.
As part of ongoing inquiries, at the request of NSW Police, officers from the Australian Border Force (ABF) and AFP identified a consignment with abnormalities on Friday, August 18, 2023. During a subsequent deconstruction, officers located 100kg of methylamphetamine hidden inside duffle bags inside a container.
During the course of the investigation, police seized in excess of $1 million cash, and electronic devices believed to be Dedicated Encrypted Criminal Communication Devices (DECCD). All items were sent for forensic examination.
Following further investigation, strike force detectives conducted a controlled delivery at a storage facility at Caringbah about 11am on Tuesday, August 29, where they arrested a 34-year-old man.
About two hours later, strike force investigators – assisted by South West Metropolitan officers, PolAir, State Intelligence Command, other NSW Police specialist resources, and AFP officers – executed a search warrant at a home in Granville, where they arrested a 54-year-old woman.
The man was taken to Sutherland Police Station and charged with ‘supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug’.
The woman was taken to Granville Police Station and charged with ‘recklessly deal with proceeds of general crime more than $100,000’, and ‘knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime’.
Both were refused bail to appear at Sutherland and Parramatta Local Courts respectively on Wednesday, August 30.
Both were formally bail refused to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, October 26.
Organised Crime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, said investigations are continuing into the remaining members of the alleged syndicate.
“This three-year investigation is a great example of the persistence and dedication of detectives to dismantle a network trying to introduce illicit drugs into our society,” he said.
“It’s understood a number of people involved in this syndicate may be offshore, as such we will continue to work with our partner agencies to identify and arrest them and put them before the court.
“It serves as a message to anyone who wishes to engage in such criminal behaviour – it does not matter if you are not on our shores, we will work with our national and international partners to target those who have a complete disregard for the safety of the NSW community.”
Investigations are ongoing.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.