Surry Hills Region Enforcement Squad investigators have charged five men, seized two firearms, almost 4kg of cocaine and nearly $550,000 cash, following an investigation into illicit drug supply across Sydney.
In May this year, officers from Surry Hills Region Enforcement Squad (RES) established Strike Force Rohini to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs across the Sydney Metropolitan area and surrounding suburbs.
Following inquiries, investigators executed a search warrant at a unit at Parramatta Road, Homebush, just after 12.15pm on Wednesday 21 October 2020.
During the search, officers seized $396,050 cash, a revolver, a semi-automatic pistol and ammunition.
Officers also seized 3.6kg of cocaine and 2kg of MDMA.
All items were seized for further examination.
The combined estimated potential street value of the prohibited drugs seized is more than $1.4 million.
A short time later, a 31-year-old man was arrested in the garage of a unit complex at James Street, Lidcombe.
A subsequent search was conducted of a white Volkswagen Golf, where investigators seized more than $36,000 cash, four mobile phones and equipment consistent with the supply of prohibited drugs.
The man was taken to Auburn Police Station and charged with two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, two counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), two counts of possess unregistered firearm (pistol), and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.
He appeared at Burwood Local Court on Thursday 22 October 2020, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Wednesday 16 December 2020.
As part of ongoing investigations, Surry Hills RES detectives executed four search warrants at properties at Guilford, Hornsby, Macquarie Park and Eastwood from 6am yesterday (Wednesday 4 November 2020).
Investigators were assisted throughout the operation by the Central Metropolitan Operations Support Group (OSG), the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), North West Metropolitan RES, Redfern RES and Sydney City Police Area Command.
During the searches, officers seized a further $117,260 cash, about 84g of magic mushrooms (psilocybin), and an amount of MDMA and cannabis.
Several electronic items were also seized and will undergo further examination.
Four men – aged 18, 20, 21 and 22 – were arrested and taken to Surry Hills Police Station.
The 18-year-old Guildford man was charged with supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity) and two counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity).
The 20-year-old Hornsby man was charged with possess prohibited drug, two counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), deal with property proceeds of crime and organises/conducts/assists drug premises.
The 21-year-old Macquarie Park man was charged with supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), supply prohibited plant and organises/conducts/assists drug premises.
The 22-year-old Macquarie Park man was charged with deal with property proceeds of crime, supply prohibited plant, organises/conducts/assists drug premises and possess prohibited drug.
All four men were refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today (Thursday 5 November 2020).
Surry Hills Region Enforcement Squad Commander, Detective Acting Inspector Sheldon Klotz, said investigators successfully dismantled an organised criminal syndicate operating across Sydney.
"Over the past six months, detectives have conducted an extensive and thorough investigation into the activities of these individuals allegedly involved in the supply of harmful and prohibited substances in the community," Det A/Insp Klotz said.
"Police will allege in court that the Homebush and Eastwood properties were being used by members of the syndicate for the sole purpose of storing illicit drugs.
"Investigations into these offences are continuing and anyone with information about suspicious, or drug-related activity, is urged to contact police," Det A/Insp Klotz said.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Rohini 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.
