Detectives have laid additional charges against two men – aged 34 and 59 – as part of ongoing investigations into an organised criminal syndicate involved in a conspiracy to supply three tonnes of cocaine throughout NSW.
In early 2020, the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad commenced an investigation under Strike Force Jillabenan into the activities of an alleged organised criminal syndicate involved in the large-scale supply of prohibited drugs across NSW.
The joint investigation with the NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC) has involved significant assistance from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and Australian Border Force (ABF).
Acting on intelligence information from NSW Police Force investigators, the United States Navy (USN) seized 870kg of cocaine, after intercepting a vessel (pictured) travelling in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Colombia in October 2020.
Following further inquiries by the NSW Police Force, the United States Coast Guard seized a further 900kg of cocaine, after intercepting a second vessel travelling off the coast of Ecuador in April 2021.
Police will allege in court that both seizures formed part of a conspiracy to supply a total of 3000kg of cocaine – including the 1770kg seized – which has a total estimated potential street value of $900 million.
So far during the investigation, strike force detectives charged five men over their alleged roles.
“In October 2021, a 33-year-old Newport man allegedly removed his ankle monitor and attempted to flee the state, before being arrested by Queensland Police (QPOL) on Wednesday 10 November 2021,” NSW Police said in a statement today.
“He was subsequently extradited to NSW, charged with an outstanding arrest warrant and remanded in custody.
“Yesterday, detectives charged the Newport man – now aged 34 – with an additional offence of attempt to pervert the course of justice.”
He was remanded in custody and is next due to appear at Central Local Court on April 6.
“As part of ongoing inquiries, Strike Force Jillabenan investigators identified a further alleged conspiracy to import up to 1.6 tonne of heroin and methylamphetamine (ice) via sea freight.”
“It will be alleged in court that the prohibited drugs – with an estimated potential street value of $320 million – were to be concealed in industrial-size toilet paper canisters imported from Malaysia into Sydney,” NSW Police said.
A 59-year-old Sans Souci man was subsequently charged with an additional offence of conspiracy to import commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs.
He was also remanded in custody and next due to appear at Central Local Court on April 6.
Since inception, Strike Force Jillabenan detectives have recovered a total of 1900kg of cocaine – with an estimated potential street value of nearly $570 million.
