Six men have been charged after nearly 10kg of MDMA and more than $210,000 cash was seized as part of a Strike Force Raptor investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs and firearms across NSW.
In June 2018, investigators from the Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor commenced an investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs and firearms across the state.
As part of their ongoing inquiries, Strike Force Raptor, assisted by the Public Order and Riot Squad, executed seven search warrants at homes in Blacktown, Rouse Hill, Doonside, Colebee, Marsden Park, Jamisontown and Oakhurst last Wednesday (27 November 2019).
During the searches, police seized more than $210,000 cash, $8700 in cryptocurrency, 2kg of MDMA, 340g methylamphetamine, 58g cocaine, nine cannabis plants, steroids, a Toyota Hilux, a Mazda CX5, ammunition, mobile phones and electronic storage devices.
A 28-year-old man was arrested after allegedly attempting to run from police at the Marsden Park home. He was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station and charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), possess prohibited drug, possess/attempt to prescribed restricted substance, deal with property proceeds of crime, and handle explosive/precursor without authorising.
He appeared at Mt Druitt Local Court on Thursday 28 November 2019, where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at the same court on Wednesday 22 January 2020.
A 36-year-old man was arrested at the Oakhurst home and taken to Blacktown Police Station. He was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority.
He appeared at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday 28 November 2019, where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at the same court on Friday 7 February 2020.
Just after 3pm (Wednesday 27 November 2019), Strike Force Raptor investigators arrested another 36-year-old man in the carpark of a licenced premises on Kildare Road, Blacktown.
Following a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers located and seized 2kg of MDMA.
The man, who is a Lone Wolf outlaw motorcycle club (OMC) associate, was arrested and taken to Blacktown Police Station.
He was charged with 10 counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), four counts of supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
He appeared at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday 28 November 2019, where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at the same court on Friday 7 February 2020.
Two men – aged 32 and 38 – were arrested following separate vehicle stops at Schofields and Penrith about 3.15pm the same day (Wednesday 27 November 2019).
The 32-year-old man was taken to Riverstone Police Station and charged with supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), three counts of supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), and four counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).
He appeared at Blacktown Local Court on Thursday 28 November 2019, where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at the same court on Friday 7 February 2020.
The 38-year-old man was taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), deal with property proceeds of crime, and fail to notify authority of change of resident.
He appeared at Penrith Local Court on Thursday 28 November 2019, where he was refused bail to reappear at the same court on Friday 24 January 2020.
Following further investigations, Strike Force Raptor arrested a 55-year-old man in a car park at Tuncurry about 2pm yesterday (Thursday 5 December 2019).
Police will allege in court that the man was at the location to supply 5kg of MDMA.
Shortly after the arrest, two search warrants were executed at homes in Forster and Tuncurry, where detectives seized prescription medication, 80g of a white powder believed to be cocaine, mobile phones, and 20g of MDMA.
The man was taken to Forster Police Station and charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), five counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), and two counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity).
He was refused bail to appear at Forster Local Court today (Friday 6 December 2019).
The total estimated potential street value of the illicit drugs seized is $700,000.
Investigations are continuing.
Source: NSW Police