Cybercrime Squad detectives have charged a man following an investigation into a dark net drug syndicate.
Strike Force Carieville was established by State Crime Command's Cybercrime Squad, with assistance from the NSW Crime Commission, to investigate a criminal group conducting a large-scale drug supply operation facilitated through the dark net.
The group is believed to have sold over $80 million worth of prohibited drugs over the past eight years and were operating one of the largest drug vendors on the dark web.
Five people have been charged and remain before the courts.
Following extensive inquiries, about 10.30am yesterday (Tuesday 31 March 2026) strike force detectives – with assistance of Raptor Squad – arrested a 38-year-old man in Thornleigh and he was taken to Hornsby Police Station.
As inquiries continued, about 1.20pm yesterday police searched a unit on the Pacific Highway, Wahroonga, allegedly seizing electronic devices, $35,000 cash and 20 grams of illicit drugs.
About 8.10pm yesterday, police searched a home on Oxley Drive, Mount Colah, allegedly seizing an amount of cannabis and large amount of drug paraphernalia.
The 38-year-old man was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and three counts of fail to comply digital evidence access order direction.
He was refused bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court today (Wednesday 1 April 2026).
Inquiries under Strike Force Carieville are ongoing.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into the supply of illicit drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
