A fourth man has been charged over an alleged drug syndicate operating in Sydney that’s seen police seize nearly 90kg of methylamphetamine (‘ice’) with an estimated potential street value of almost $45 million.
A 28-year-old Chinese National was arrested in Melbourne today, before being extradited to Sydney by detectives from the Redfern Region Enforcement Squad (RES), as part of Strike Force Cliftonville.
It’s alleged the man fled Sydney on Saturday 23 July 2016, after police arrested three men in relation to an ‘ice’ syndicate allegedly operating in Sydney.
An arrest warrant was subsequently issued for the man over alleged drug-related offences.
Police inquiries confirmed the man fled the CBD in a taxi, before extending the fare to Melbourne that evening, which cost him nearly $4500.
The man arrived at Sydney Airport this afternoon and has since been taken to Botany Bay Police Station, where he was charged with supply large commercial quantity of prohibited drug.
He was refused bail and is due to face Parramatta Local Court tomorrow.
Strike Force Cliftonville detectives have previously charged three men, including a 26-year-old man who was stopped in Thomas Street, Haymarket, on Friday 22 July 2016 for talking on his mobile phone while driving. During a search of his car police uncovered 3kg of ‘ice’.
Following further investigations, officers stopped a 30-year-old man carrying a suitcase on Canberra Street, St Johns Park, the next day (23 July 2016). While searching the man, police allegedly seized a further 10kg of ‘ice’.
Just before 8pm that evening, police executed a search warrant at a home on Canberra Street, St Johns Park, and seized $1.4 million in cash. A 21-year-old man was arrested at the property.
The three men have since been charged and their matters remain before the court.
Strike Force Cliftonville comes as the state-wide ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign – targeting criminals who are manufacturing and suppling ‘ice’ – continues across NSW.
The campaign – funded by the Commonwealth Government – is currently being held in 21 Local Area Commands (LACs) across the state.
It runs in each LAC for two weeks, during which police and Crime Stopers, NSW Police say.
