33 people have now been charged over an alleged state-wide drug supply network operating across Sydney’s south west and the state’s central west.
In February 2019, detectives attached to Western Region established Strike Force Pinnacle to investigate an ongoing large-scale drug supply network operating from Wellington, NSW.
Early inquiries revealed the syndicate was allegedly sourcing prohibited drugs – mainly methylamphetamine (ice), but also MDMA and heroin – from Sydney, and distributing them to regional towns across NSW.
Subsequently, in January 2020, detectives attached to State Crime Command’s Drug & Firearms Squad established Strike Force Laverick to investigate the syndicate’s links in Sydney.
Between February 2019 and late March 2020, 15 people were arrested and charged as a result of ongoing inquiries. A number of those individuals remain before the courts (details are available on request).
About 6am yesterday (Wednesday 27 May 2020) Strike Force Pinnacle detectives, with assistance of officers from across Western Region, the Dog Unit, Public Order & Riot Squad, PolAir, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and the NSW Crime Commission executed search warrants at 16 properties in Wellington and Montefiores in the state’s central west.
During the searches, officers located methylamphetamine, MDMA, heroin, buprenorphine, cannabis, more than $450,000 cash, 1.4kg of gold (valued at $119,000), three firearms, three electronic stun devices, ammunition, railway detonators, two safes and a poker machine.
Specialist resources remain on scene today (Thursday 28 May 2020) in Wellington to assist with the ongoing operation.
Simultaneously, Strike Force Laverick detectives assisted by the Bass Hill Regional Enforcement Squad (RES), Dog Unit, Chemical Operations team and PolAir executed search warrants at five properties in Bankstown, Bass Hill, Condell Park and two in Yagoona, in south western Sydney.
As a result of the searches police seized methylamphetamine, buprenorphine, GBL, over $150,000 cash, a firearm and seven vehicles, including a taxi and a truck.
12 people were arrested by Strike Force Pinnacle detectives, and they have now been charged as follows:
- A 34-year old man was charged with 19 offences including knowingly direct activities of criminal group two counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), supply cannabis (indictable quantity), five counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), three counts of supply prohibited drug, two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, two counts of corruptly give/offer to give agent benefit, possess more than 3 unregistered firearms, 1 a prohibited pistol, procure child for unlawful sexual activity and breach of bail. Police will allege in court that the 34-year-old man was the senior member of a criminal syndicate and facilitated the supply of a commercial quantity of ice to a number of regional communities. He was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 30 year-old man was charged with 37 offences including participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), 20 counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), nine counts of supply prohibited drug, four counts of supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis, organises/conducts/assists drug premises and deal with proceeds of crime. He was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 36-year-old man was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, two counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), two counts of supply prohibited drug, deal with proceeds of crime and breach of bail. He was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 28-year-old man was charged with 40 offences including participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), take part supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) 12 counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), 24 counts of supply prohibited drug, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. He was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 28-year-old woman was charged with 15 offences including participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, take part supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), organises/conducts/assists drug premises, nine counts of supply prohibited drug, two counts of deal with the proceeds of crime and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. She was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 37-year-old man was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, two counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), two counts of supply prohibited drug, contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO, possess ammunition w/o holding licence/permit/authority and deal with proceeds of crime. He was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 23-year-old woman was charged with 23 offences including participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, eight counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), ten counts of supply prohibited drug, deal with the proceeds of crime and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. She was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 42-year-old man was charged with take part in supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) and deal with proceeds of crime. He was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 37-year-old man was charged with 20 offences including participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, two counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), seven counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and ten counts of supply prohibited drug. He was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 35-year-old woman was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity. She was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 34-year-old man was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, three counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), police pursuit not stop drive at speed and breach of bail. He was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 29-year-old man was charged with two counts of possess unauthorised firearm, not keep firearm safely (not prohibited firearm), and possess ammunition without a licence or permit. He was refused bail to appear at Dubbo Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
Six people were arrested by Strike Force Laverick detectives, and they have now been charged as follows:
- A 39-year-old man was charged with 34 offences including knowingly direct activities of criminal group, eight counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), three counts of supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), 15 counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), two counts of supply prohibited drug (small quantity), two counts of possess unauthorised pistol, deal with property proceeds of crime and dishonestly for gain damage property by fire/explosive. Police will allege the 39-year-old man led the Sydney-based criminal syndicate which facilitated the supply of ice and other prohibited drugs to distributors in Wellington. He was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 24-year-old man was charged with 27 offences including participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), two counts of supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity) and 23 counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity). He was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 26-year-old man was charged with 26 offences including participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity) and 24 counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity). He was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A second 26-year-old man was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and two counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity). He was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 42-year-old man was charged with 18 offences including participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, two counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), four counts of supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), eight counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and landlord etc require tenant use online rental bond service. He was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
- A 53-year old man was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity). He was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today (Thursday 28 May 2020).
Inquiries are continuing and more arrests are expected.
