Five people, including one teenager, have been arrested after a police investigation into a ‘sophisticated and highly organised’ cocaine syndicate allegedly operating across Sydney.
Three men, a woman and a 17-year-old were charged on Friday in relation to the alleged drug ring which supplied hundreds of customers throughout the city.
The men, aged between 22 and 43, a 27-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy were arrested in Ryde on Friday and charged with numerous offences, including directing a criminal group, supplying drugs and possessing weapons.
Three men, a woman and a 17-year-old were charged on Friday in relation to the alleged drug ring which supplied hundreds of customers throughout the city (Stock image of cocaine pictured)
The arrests follow a major police sting which resulted in the arrest of over 30 people in Sydney’s CBD last week (pictured)
The five accused were refused bail and appeared in Parramatta Bail Court and a children’s court on Saturday.
‘This syndicate was a sophisticated and highly organised group but, like all criminal groups, their time came to an end,’ Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace said in a statement.
‘Drug supply and use have absolutely devastating effects on the community and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure groups like these are stopped.’
Detective Wallace also said the arrests should act as a warning to others who participate in criminal activity.
‘It may not be today or tomorrow but if you are involved in criminal activity it is only a matter of time before we catch up with you,’ she said.
Detective Wallace also said the arrests should act as a warning to others who participate in criminal activity.
‘It may not be today or tomorrow but if you are involved in criminal activity it is only a matter of time before we catch up with you,’ she said.
‘This syndicate was a sophisticated and highly organised group but, like all criminal groups, their time came to an end,’ Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace said in a statement (Stock image)
The arrests are the result of a lengthy police operation which began in February 2017, when officers attached to the former Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad established Strike Force Mirimar to investigate the large-scale supply of cocaine through the Sydney Metropolitan Region.
The arrests follow the large-scale ‘dial-a-dealer’ police sting which resulted in 36 men and women charged and 468 grams of cocaine, 196g of MDMA, $120,000 cash, two loaded firearms and a number of cars seized.
A police spokesperson was unable to confirm if Friday’s arrests were in relation to the recent police operation.
The arrests (pictured) follow the large-scale ‘dial-a-dealer’ police sting which resulted in 36 men and women charged and 468 grams of cocaine, 196g of MDMA, $120,000 cash, two loaded firearms and a number of cars seized
A police spokesperson was unable to confirm if Friday’s arrests were in relation to the recent police operation (pictured)
About 2000 phone numbers were retrieved from the offenders’ phones to help with the investigation last week.
The cocaine seized would have equated to about 500 street deals.
The majority of those arrested face charges relating to the ongoing dealing of cocaine and others were picked up for possession.