NSW police charge three after prohibited drugs worth $1.3 million seized

Strike Force Raptor investigators have charged three men and seized prohibited drugs worth $1.3 million as part of an investigation into the supply of cocaine across Sydney.

In July this year, investigators from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor commenced an investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs – mainly cocaine – across Sydney.

Following extensive inquiries, Strike Force Raptor investigators, with assistance from the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU), arrested three men – aged 42, 35 and 20 – at a hotel on Victoria Road near Brush Road, West Ryde, just after 12.30pm yesterday (Tuesday 1 September 2020).

Investigators seized 2kg of cocaine and $600,000 cash, which will undergo further examination.

A short time later, Strike Force Raptor investigators, with assistance from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), executed four search warrants at homes at Quakers Hill, Seven Hills, Blacktown and Sadlier.

During the searches, officers seized an additional 500g of cocaine, about 1500 MDMA tablets and 300g of cannabis.

In total, the illicit drugs have an estimated potential street value of $1.3 million.

Investigators also seized $3000 cash, knuckledusters, mobile phones, electronic storage devices and documentation.

All items will undergo further examination.

The men were taken to Granville Police Station, where the 42-year-old Quakers Hill man was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), two counts of supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

The 35-year-old Sadlier man was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

The 20-year-old Blacktown man was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

All three men were refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Wednesday 2 September 2020).

Investigations by Strike Force Raptor are continuing.

Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.

Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist Strike Force Raptor can report it directly to investigators via the Strike Force Raptor online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=49 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Information provided to investigators will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

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