Three men will face court today charged over their alleged involvement in the large commercial supply of prohibited drugs across Sydney.
In October 2022, detectives from Raptor Squad established Strike Force Caste to investigate the supply and distribution of prohibited drugs and dealing with proceeds of crime across the Sydney region.
About 5.50pm on Monday (12 December 2022), emergency services were called to a home in Austral Street, Kogarah, following reports of a fire.
A 51-year-old man was located outside the property, suffering burns to his hands, legs, and face. He was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious condition.
Officers from St George Police Area Command established a crime scene, which was handed over to Strike Force Caste detectives to investigate into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Following inquiries, strike force investigators executed search warrants at the Kogarah house and properties in Canterbury Road, Campsie, and Garema Circuit, Kingsgrove, about 4.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 13 December 2022).
Police seized several items relevant to the investigation, including 5.7kg of cocaine, mobile phones, $15,090 in cash, electronic storage devices, and drug manufacturing equipment.
The items will undergo forensic examination.
Two men – aged 30 and 37 – were arrested and both were taken to Kogarah Police Station.
The 30-year-old Campsie man was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drugs large commercial quantity, two counts of supply prohibited drugs indictable quantity, and deal with proceeds of crime.
The 37-year-old Hurstville man was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drugs large commercial quantity, and deal with property proceeds of crime.
Both were refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court today (Wednesday 14 December 2022).
Following further inquiries, investigators arrested a 51-year-old man at Royal North Shore Hospital about 4.30pm yesterday.
He was charged with supply prohibited drugs large commercial quantity and refused bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court via a bedside hearing today.
Investigations under Strike Force Caste are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Caste investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
