A former Sydney Roosters player is the latest figure to be embroiled in the dial-a-dealer busts throughout Sydney.
Ben Darcy, 28, was arrested on November 25 as police crack down on cocaine distribution rings throughout the city, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Officers arrested the man after executing a search warrant on a home in Paddington, as part of Strike Force Northrop.
Police will allege in court they also located cocaine and more than $30,000 in cash.
Ben Darcy (centre) has been charged over his alleged involvement in a dial-a-dealer cocaine syndicate
The former Sydney Roosters player (pictured in handcuffs) was arrested after police executed a search warrant in Paddington
Darcy has been charged with two counts of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, five counts of supplying a prohibited drug, ongoing drug supply and breaching bail.
He has been granted conditional bail and will reappear at Downing Centre Local Court on January 23.
On Monday, two Sydney-based IT consultants were charged for their role in the operation following arrests last week, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Alli Atmar, 28, and Ashkan Rafiq, 41, worked for software distributor GlobalX, which was served with a search warrant after the men were arrested. The men were consequently sacked.
Police will allege in court next month they also located cocaine and more than $30,000 in cash
Detectives and other police arrest a man as part of an operation targeting cocaine dealers
The search warrant also allowed officers access to a home in Double Bay connected to the men.
There, they found more than $20,000 in cash, high-end watches, prescription medication, financial documents and electronic devices.
Both men have been charged with multiple supply-related offences and refused bail. Rafiq and Atmar will reappear at Central Local Court on December 5 and 6 respectively.
On Friday, police sent up to 2,000 users of the dial-a-dealer drug syndicates a text message asking them to come forward with information after retrieving their numbers from seized mobile phones.
‘This ph no has been ID’d as part of a NSWPF Cocaine investigation in the Sydney area,’ the text said.
‘If you have any information please contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000.’
Police have sent a text message (pictured) to about 2000 people whose numbers were found in an operation targeting dial-a-dealer cocaine syndicates in the Sydney metropolitan area
Police have laid more than 120 charges and most of those accused will face court in January
Strike Force Northrop was a two-month sting targeting ‘dial-a-dealer’ cocaine syndicates
Perhaps surprisingly, a police spokeswoman said dozens of those who received the text message had already replied.
Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell said every number found on the phones would be contacted.
‘What we’ll be doing today is sending SMS text messages to each of those persons to ascertain if they can help us further with our inquiries,’ Detective Chief Inspector Bell told reporters last Friday.
‘If you are the recipient, it’s in your best interest to contact them.’
While the recipients were under no legal obligation to reply, dozens had done so by Friday evening.
The syndicates are alleged to have used a central phone number for customers to contact and organise a drug drop at a location of their choice.
Detective Chief Inspector Bell compared it to arranging the delivery of fast food.
‘Just like ordering a pizza … only illegal,’ he said.
‘These criminal groups have an extensive client base that individuals were contacting for the sole purpose of purchasing cocaine.’
Pictured: Cocaine seized by Strike Force Northrop in an operation targeting dial-a-dealers in Sydney
Pictured: Cash seized by officers from Strike Force Northrop targeting cocaine dealing in Sydney
The majority of those arrested face charges relating to the ongoing dealing of cocaine and others were picked up for possession.
They came from all walks of life, ‘from corporates to unemployed’, Detective Chief Inspector Bell said.
Strike Force Northrop was established in September 2017 by detectives attached to Redfern Region Enforcement Squad to target the ongoing supply of cocaine within the central metropolitan region.
More than 36 people have so far been arrested by police, who by Friday had seized 468 grams of cocaine, 196 grams of MDMA, $120,000 cash, two loaded firearms and a number of cars.
Police have laid more than 120 charges in total and most of the defendants will face court in January.
Charges include supply prohibited drug, knowingly participate in criminal group, ongoing drug supply, deal with proceeds of crime and possess prohibited drug.
The cocaine seized by Strike Force Northrop would have equated to about 500 street deals
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