Five arrested, properties raided as part of seven-year investigation
A seven-year investigation into a major drug importation and money laundering operation has culminated in the arrest of five men from Sydney to Dubai.
Police will allege that along with large-scale supply of MDMA and methylamphetamine the group was also involved in other organised crime activity.
Around 7am on Tuesday detectives executed multiple search warrants at a villa in Baulkham Hills and at two business premises at Badgerys Creek.
Detectives executed multiple search warrants on Tuesday morning, including one at Badgerys Creek.Credit:NSW Police Force
A man, aged 57, was arrested at Baulkham Hills and taken to Castle Hill police station.
Around the same time a 34-year-old man was arrested at Muswellbrook police station and a 36-year-old Erina Heights man was arrested at a Darling Harbour hotel and taken to Day Street police station.
A search warrant was also executed at a business at Altair Place, Jamisontown, in connection with the NSW Crime Commission Criminal Assets Recovery Act.
The arrests are the culmination of Strike Force Millstream, a major investigation launched by the NSW Organised Crime Squad and NSW Crime Commission in December 2013, tasked with uncovering the alleged supply of MDMA and methylamphetamine in the state by a transnational syndicate.
Two of the five men - aged 34 and 37 – were arrested in Dubai last week. Both men are understood to be Australians who were living in the United Arab Emirates.
They were arrested by Dubai police after detectives applied for arrest warrants in January, before Interpol Red Notices were issued earlier this month. Police will now seek to extradite the men to Australia.
Tuesday's raids were extensive and involved officers from the Public Order and Riot Squad, North West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad, the Dog Unit, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command and Australian Border Force investigators.
It takes the number of people arrested by Strike Force Millstream investigators to more than 20, with 16 people previously charged over their alleged roles in illicit activities.
Charges are expected to be laid later on Tuesday and the investigation is ongoing.
More to come.