Three men will appear in court today charged over their alleged involvement in the importation of methylamphetamine and cocaine allegedly concealed in lollipops and lollies from the United States to Sydney.
In early November 2020, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at the Sydney Gateway Facility mail centre intercepted three packages that arrived in Sydney from the United States containing methylamphetamine (ice) and cocaine.
Officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were notified and established Strike Force Arced to investigate the importations, with assistance from The Department of Home Affairs and US Homeland Security.
As part of ongoing inquiries, authorities seized 5.83kg of methylamphetamine (ice) and 655g of cocaine, contained in 16 parcels bound for the Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Macquarie Park, Chatswood and Ryde, between November 2020 and March 2021.
The seizures – which have an estimated potential street value of $3.5 million – contained methylamphetamine (ice) packaged as lollipops and cocaine pressed as lollies.
Following extensive investigations, Northern Beaches detectives with assistance from the Operations Support Group (OSG), executed seven search warrants at properties in Collaroy Plateau, Collaroy, Macquarie Park, Pyrmont and Brookvale from 6.30am yesterday (Wednesday 10 March 2021).
During the searches, police seized more than $135,000 cash, 58g of cocaine, 115g of methamphetamine (ice), a small pill press, seven Rolex watches, electronic devices and various weapons including knuckle dusters, electronic stun device and a knife.
Officers arrested three men – aged 49, 31 and 21 – from Collaroy Plateau, Macquarie Park and Dee Why, before taking them to Manly Police Station.
The 49-year-old Collaroy Plateau man was charged with two counts of attempted import marketable quantity of border-controlled drug, contravene req in s 3LA order, supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
The 31-year-old Macquarie Park man was charged with attempt to possess commercial quantity border controlled substance, four counts of attempt to possess marketable quantity of border controlled substance, three counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), knowingly deal in proceeds of crime, and two counts of possess prohibited weapon.
The 21-year-old Dee Why man was charged with four counts of attempt to possess commercial quantity border controlled substance, and recklessly deal with the proceeds of crime.
All three men were refused bail and are due to appear in Manly Local Court today (Thursday 11 March 2021).
