PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF-branded images of the seized drugs are available Hightail – https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/1WjoTygsPp/
Drug & Firearms Squad detectives have extradited a man from Victoria for offences relating to the attempted ‘rip’ of 120kgs of cocaine.
Strike Force Biles was established by State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad in May 2023 to investigate a criminal syndicate allegedly using a method commonly referred to as “rip on, rip off” to access prohibited drugs concealed in legitimate shipping containers.
To date, two men have been charged and remain before the courts.
Following ongoing inquiries, about 5.50am on Thursday 14 March 2024, a 43-year-old man was arrested a Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne by local authorities.
Strike force detectives subsequently travelled to Melbourne, where they applied for – and were granted – the extradition of the man to NSW the next day.
On his arrival in Sydney, the man was taken to Mascot Police Station, where he was charged with attempt to possess commercial quantity unlawful import: border controlled drug, supply prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity, possess means of disguising face with intent commit indictable offence and armed with intent commit indictable offence.
The man was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday 16 March 2024.
Police will allege the man was the overseer who organised for the others involved to travel to Australia to conduct the “rip on, rip off” of the drugs.
Anyone with information that may assist 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.
