Redfern RES detectives have executed 11 search warrants across Sydney and charged 16 people as part of an investigation into the supply of cocaine and MDMA.
In December last year, officers from Redfern Region Enforcement Squad established Strike Force Caladenia to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs – mainly cocaine and MDMA – across Sydney.
So far during the investigation, detectives have charged five people for drug-related offences.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators executed 11 search warrants at locations at Bondi Beach, North Bondi, Maroubra, Chippendale, Randwick, Sydney CBD, Alexandria, Darlington, Earlwood, Balgowlah and Pennant Hills from 6am yesterday (Wednesday 29 July 2020).
Redfern RES investigators were assisted throughout the operation by Surry Hills RES, the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), Central and North West Metropolitan Operations Support Group (OSG), the Dog Unit and officers from Eastern Suburbs, Eastern Beaches and Northern Beaches Police Area Commands.
During the operation, detectives seized nearly 3kg of MDMA, nearly 400g of cocaine, 654g of ketamine, 323g of cannabis, 188 LSD tabs, nearly 290g of magic mushrooms (psilocybin) and 37ml of GBL.
Officers also seized $627,400 cash, a pistol and a sawn-off shotgun.
Officers arrested 16 people – 13 men and three women – throughout the operation.
A 30-year-old man was arrested at Bondi Beach and charged with 17 offences including supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), five counts of supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), eight counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), two counts of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis and possess prohibited drug. He appeared at Waverley Local Court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Wednesday 23 September 2020.
A 40-year-old man was arrested at North Bondi and charged with 21 offences including three counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), seven counts of supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), eight counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), two counts of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. He was refused bail to appear at Waverley Local Court today (Thursday 30 July 2020).
A 29-year-old man was arrested at Chippendale and charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, three counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and possess prohibited drug. He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today.
A 39-year-old man was arrested at Alexandria and charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), supply prohibited drug and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 24 August 2020.
Two men – both aged 20 – were arrested at a home at Randwick and taken to Mascot Police Station.
One man was charged with supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, while the other man was charged with supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), two counts of possess prohibited drug, and two counts of possess/attempt prescribed restricted substance. Both men were refused bail to appear at Waverley Local Court today.
A further two male occupants – aged 20 and 21 – of the Randwick home were issued with Court Attendance Notices (CAN) for drug-related offences. They will appear at court at a later date.
Three men – aged 33, 41 and 43 – were arrested at Maroubra and taken to Maroubra Police Station.
The 33-year-old man was charged with manufacture prohibited drug (large commercial quantity) and supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity). He was refused bail to appear at Waverley Local Court today.
The 41-year-old man was charged with supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity).
The 43-year-old man was charged with nine offences including deal with property proceeds of crime, two counts of possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), possess unauthorised firearm, possess shortened firearm without authority, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, not keep firearm safely (pistol), not keep firearm safely (prohibited firearm).
Both men were refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today.
A 27-year-old man was arrested at Pennant Hills and charged with supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), possess prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime (greater than $100,000) and possess/attempt anabolic or androgenic steroidal agent. He appeared at Burwood Local Court yesterday, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Friday 7 August 2020.
Two women – aged 46 and 58 – were arrested at Earlwood and taken to Burwood Police Station.
The younger woman was charged with 17 offences including six counts of possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), three counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), six counts of possess/attempt prescribed restricted substance and deal with property proceeds of crime (greater than $100,000). She was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court today.
The older woman was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), possess prohibited drug and three counts of possess/attempt prescribed restricted substance. She was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Monday 24 August 2020.
A 32-year-old woman and 33-year-old man were arrested near Balgowlah and taken to Manly Police Station. The woman was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug and four counts of possess prohibited drug.
The man was charged with 19 offences including eight counts of supply prohibited drug, three counts of supply cannabis (indictable quantity), five counts of take part supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), two counts of take part supply prohibited drug and possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.
They were both granted strict conditional bail to appear at Manly Local Court on Wednesday 26 August 2020.
Redfern RES Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell, said significant police resources were deployed today as efforts to remove prohibited drugs from the community continue.
“Strike Force Caladenia was established to target a mid-level organised criminal enterprise organising and facilitating the supply of illicit drugs across the Sydney CBD and eastern suburbs,” Det Ch Insp Bell said.
“Investigators have conducted significant inquiries into the activities of this alleged syndicate which has resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of cocaine, MDMA, ketamine and various hallucinogens.
“The NSW Police Force will continue to target those who actively go out of their way to profit from the vulnerabilities of others – particularly at this time under the weight of COVID-19.
“People involved in these activities know they are illegal – and today, when police came knocking, one man allegedly attempted to dispose of numerous items over a balcony.
“Investigations into these offences are continuing and anyone with information about suspicious, or drug-related activity, is urged to contact police,” Det Ch Insp Bell said.
Anyone with information into the supply of prohibited drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
