Two men have been charged and nearly $87 million worth of ‘ice’ seized, following a joint-agency investigation into the importation and supply of illicit drugs.
Strike Force Kurrurma was established by detectives attached to the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad and Australian Federal Police (AFP), together with the NSW Crime Commission (NSWCC) and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), to investigate the large-scale importation and supply of prohibited drugs – mainly methylamphetamine (ice) – into and across NSW.
Acting on intelligence information, Organised Crime Squad detectives arrested a 40-year-old Woy Woy man during a vehicle stop at Kingswood about 3.20pm yesterday, Thursday, April 29.
In a subsequent search of the Toyota Hi Ace van, police located three large plastic tubs containing 41 plastic resealable bags.
During a deconstruction of the bags, officers seized 41kg of methylamphetamine (ice).
About 4pm, investigators arrested a 28-year-old Kingswood man during a separate vehicle stop at Kingswood.
During a search of the VW Amarok utility, police seized mobile phones and other electronic devices, which will undergo further examination.
Following further inquiries, Organised Crime Squad detectives and AFP officers executed two search warrants at homes at Kingswood and Woy Woy from 8pm.
During the search of the Kingswood home, officers located 13 large tubs in the rear shed allegedly containing 248kg of methylamphetamine (ice).
During a search of the Woy Woy home, officers seized nearly $300,000 cash, mobile phones and designer watches.
In total, officers seized a combined 289kg of methylamphetamine (ice) during the yesterday’s operation, with an estimated potential street value of $86.7 million.
Both men were taken to St Marys Police Station, where the older man was charged with ‘supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity)’ and ‘knowingly deal with proceeds of crime’.
The younger man was charged with two counts of ‘supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity)’.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today, Friday, April 30.
Joint agency investigations are continuing.
