A tradesman wearing a hi-visibility vest was arrested and led handcuffed from his home in Sydney’s west on Friday morning over a drug haul worth $45 million.
Police arrested the 47-year-old man at Penrith, in Sydney’s west, just after 5am on Friday as part of an ongoing investigation into drug importation.
Shortly after the arrest, investigators raided a nearby home and seized about 85kg of methylamphetamine, 13kg of cocaine, and 2kg of MDMA.
In total, the drugs have an estimated potential street value of more than $45 million.
A 47-year-old South Penrith man (pictured) has been arrested in relation to illegal drugs being imported into the country
Police seized about 85kg of meth, 13kg of cocaine, and 2kg of MDMA (pictured)
Detective Superintendent Beaufils said that despite large seizures of illicit drugs, demand in NSW remains far too high.
‘We know that organised criminal groups are motivated by profit, and the unwavering demand within our community feeds right into their greed – there’s no hesitation in exploiting that demand for their own benefit.
‘Police and our partners will continue to do our job in terms of targeting these networks, but we need the community’s support to incite real cultural change in relation to drug use.
In March, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad established Strike Force Sharrock to investigate the importation and supply of prohibited drugs.
Organised Crime Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Damian Beaufils, said that the taskforce had curb the supply of drugs coming into the community.
‘The NSW Police Force – in partnership and cooperation with local and international law enforcement and intelligence agencies – has had significant success in recent years with the seizure of tonnes of illicit drugs and millions of dollars in cash, suspected to be proceeds of crime,’ Det A/Supt Beaufils said.
The drugs have an estimated potential street value of more than $45 million
‘Strike Force Sharrock is another example of the squad’s continued dedication to tackling large-scale drug importation and supply – and we’re not done yet.
‘We will continue to investigate source of the drugs, which includes ongoing targeting of importation attempts, as well as those involved in the manufacture of illicit substances, both here and abroad.’
The man was taken to Penrith Police Station and charged with three counts of large commercial drug supply.
He was refused bail and will reappear at Penrith Local Court on Friday 14 September 2018.
Detective Superintendent Beaufils said that despite large seizures of illicit drugs, demand in NSW remains far too high
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