An IT nerd who boasted about his lavish lifestyle online and two young women have been charged over a $17 million drug operation they allegedly ran on the ‘dark web’.
Cody Ward, 25, regularly posted photos of his new Maseratti and fancy international trips to Instagram, while also promoting himself as the CEO of a cyber security firm.
But despite promoting his IT business and success with Bitcoin, the secret life Ward did not flaunt on social media was allegedly uncovered by NSW Police this week.
From his home in the sleepy seaside town Callala Beach – which has just 800 regular residents – police allege Ward ran a ‘sophisticated online drug distribution network’.
While the IT whizkid ran the online side of the business, two sisters – Shanese, 24 and Patricia Koullaris, 20 – were allegedly employed by him to package and send drugs to all corners of the country.
Cody Ward (pictured), 25, has been charged with masterminding a $17 million drug ring which he allegedly ran over the dark web
The IT whizkid regularly boasted about his lavish lifestyle online, including driving luxury cars such as a Maserati (left) and Mercedes Benz (right) – both cars were seized by police following raids on Thursday
Raids on five properties on Thursday led police to uncover several kilograms of illicit drugs – including cocaine and MDMA – drug packaging material and $80,000 cash.
Police revealed following the raids that they had been tracking the syndicate for the past nine months before on Wednesday intercepting 85 parcels loaded with drugs.
Detectives said the syndicate, which had allegedly been run by Ward for a number of years, was one of the largest ever on the dark web in Australia.
During the raids at Callala Bay, Callala Beach and Quakers Hill, officers found 2.5kg of white powder which is believed to include cocaine, amphetamine and diazepam.
They also seized 200g of MDMA, more than 100,000 LSD tabs and cannabis, as well as Xanax which had been made to look like small candy.
Sophisticated computer equipment, money counters, and several vehicles including a Lexus, a Mercedes-Benz, a Ford Falcon and a Maserati were also seized.
Sisters Patricia (left), 20, and Shanese Koullaris (right), 24, were allegedly employed by Ward to package and send drugs to all corners of the country
The two sisters (Patricia is pictured) were each charged with four counts of drug supply and knowingly participate in a criminal group
Ward (pictured), 25, was charged with four counts of drug supply, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime
Cryptocurrency, alleged to be the proceeds of crime, was also recovered by police.
Police have initially estimated the syndicate had turned over more than $17 million.
Ward, 25, was charged with four counts of drug supply, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
Shanese Koullaris, 24, was charged with four counts of drug supply, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and knowingly participate in criminal group assist crime.
Patricia Koullaris, 20, was charged with four counts of drug supply, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
NSW state crime acting assistant commissioner Stuart Smith said in a statement the massive bust was a sign to other drug dealers.
‘We’re putting would-be drug pushers on notice,’ Asst Comm Smith said.
Ward allegedly ran the syndicate from a home (pictured) in the quiet seaside town of Callala Beach, on the New South Wales south coast
Police revealed following the raids that they had been tracking the syndicate for the past nine months before on Wednesday intercepting 85 parcels loaded with drugs (pictured)
During the raids officers found 2.5kg of white powder which is believed to include cocaine, amphetamine and diazepam, as well as MDMA, more than 100,000 LSD tabs (pictured), cannabis and Xanax
‘You can no longer try to hide the peddling of poisons on the dark web.
‘The co-ordinated investigative efforts by local and specialist investigators show that there’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide, even online.
‘While we will continue to target the drug trade at every level of the supply chain, we remind the community that the demand of these prohibited substances needs to be addressed.’
The trio – facing a range of drug and other offences – did not apply for bail and it was formally refused when their matters were heard at Nowra Local Court on Friday.
Their cases are due back in court on February 22 and April 12.
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