Two Charged in Drug Importation by Strike Force Meadowlake

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A multi-agency investigation targeting a consignment of cocaine into Australia has resulted in the arrest of two men in Sydney’s south-west.

Strike Force Meadowlake was established in March 2024 by Bankstown Region Enforcement Squad (RES) 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 5325kg of cocoa powder.

An examination of the cargo by the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) revealed the powder contained approximately 2.25 tonnes of cocaine. The consignment is subject of further analysis.

AFP Forensic investigators replaced the powder in the sacks with an inert substance before the consignment was released for delivery under the surveillance of Strike Force Meadowlake and AFP investigators.

Following extensive inquiries, officers – assisted by Wetherill Park, Penrith, Gordon and Central Metropolitan RES, SCC’s Organised Crime Squad and Raptor Squad, the Public Order & Riot Squad (PORS), South West Metropolitan OSG, Central Metropolitan Region Odin, and the AFP – executed search warrants about 10.30pm on Thursday (6 June 2024), at Pyrmont, Georges Hall, Bankstown, Greenacre, Sylvania, Moorebank and Chipping Norton.

Police will allege in court, 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.

Two men, aged 40 and 41, were arrested and taken to Bankstown Police Station.

The younger man has been charged with 18 offences,

• 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).

The older man has been charged with 12 offences,

• 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

Both were refused bail to appear before Parramatta Bail Court today (Saturday 8 June 2024).

Inquiries under Strike Force Meadowlake continue.

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