Police have charged nine people and dismantled a criminal syndicate following an investigation into the supply of MDMA and LSD across Sydney.
In July 2019, Surry Hills Region Enforcement Squad (RES) established Strike Force Hiddenite to investigate and target the supply of prohibited drugs – mainly MDMA and LSD – throughout the Central Metropolitan Region and surrounding suburbs.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators executed seven search warrants at homes at Leumeah, Cabramatta, Campsie, Berala, Fairfield, Oakville and Macquarie Park, from 10am yesterday (Wednesday 4 March 2020).
Surry Hills RES investigators were assisted throughout the operation by officers from all Metropolitan RES units – Bass Hill, Gordon, Penrith, Redfern and Wetherill Park – as well as Fairfield and Campsie Police Area Commands, Newcastle City Police District, Operation ODIN and the Dog Unit.
During the searches, officers seized more than $8000 cash, a replica firearm, mobile phones, equipment consistent with drug manufacture and supply, prescription medication and prohibited drugs including MDMA, LSD, cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy.
Police also seized 21 reptiles, including blue-tongue lizards and snakes, from the Berala home. The animals were taken into the care of Sydney Metro Wildlife Service.
A 34-year-old man and 23-year-old woman were arrested at Leumeah and taken to Campbelltown Police Station.
The man was charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group, supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity x6), supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity x8), and supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity x6).
Police will allege in court that the man directed and coordinated the supply of prohibited drugs, including MDMA, LSD, ketamine and cocaine, across Sydney between September 2019 and February 2020.
The woman was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and drug supply.
The pair were refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today (Thursday 5 March 2020).
A 22-year-old man was arrested at a home near Newcastle and taken to Waratah Police Station.
The Cabramatta man was charged with supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity x4), supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity x3) and supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity x3). He was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court today.
A 38-year-old man was arrested at Campsie and charged with deal with property proceeds of crime, possess prohibited drug and supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity x3). He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court today.
A 51-year-old man was also arrested at Campsie and charged with supply cannabis (indictable quantity) and possess prohibited drug (x3). He was granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday 17 March 2020.
A 25-year-old Berala man was arrested outside a business at Menai and charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity x3) and deal with property proceeds of crime. He was refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court today.
A 21-year-old woman was arrested at Oakville and charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, take part supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity x2) and supply prohibited drug. She was granted conditional bail to appear at Windsor Local Court on Thursday 26 March 2020.
A 27-year-old man was arrested at Macquarie Park and charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, take part supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity x2), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity x2), and possess unauthorised pistol. He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court today.
A 24-year-old South Kempsey woman was arrested at St Leonards and charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and take part supply prohibited drug (x2). She was granted conditional bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday 25 March 2020.
Surry Hills Region Enforcement Squad Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Steven Patton, said strike force investigators successfully dismantled an entire criminal syndicate yesterday.
"This has been an extensive and complex investigation which resulted in the arrest of nine people who have been charged with serious drug-related offences," Det Ch Insp Patton said.
"Since its inception, Strike Force Hiddenite investigators have seized 1.39 kilograms of MDMA and 16.6 grams of LSD – which is equivalent to 83,000 individual tabs of the hallucinogenic.
"We know these prohibited drugs were being sold at music events, rave and dance parties and at licenced premises around Sydney, which is of great concern to police.
"This is a timely reminder to the community that prohibited drugs can be extremely harmful and as we have seen in the past can also result in death.
"We do not wish to see anyone lose their lives by taken illicit substances, and to those who continue to break the law, just know these operations will continue, you will be charged and put before the courts," Det Ch Insp Patton said.
Anyone with information about the supply of prohibited drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
