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'Cutting off the head of the snake of organised crime': Police smash large drug syndicate, arrest 12

NSW Police have smashed one of Sydney’s biggest drug rings targeting the Rebels bikie group and Asian crime gangs with police seizing a tonne of ephedrine.

Police raided more than 25 properties, mainly in Sydney’s west, including Fairfield, Ross Hill, Cabramatta and as far south as the ACT, and raided a lab alleged to be used for manufacturing methylamphetamine.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller told reporters 12 men were arrested with links to the Comanchero Motorcycle Club and the Rebels bikie gang.

It’s also believed Chinese and Vietnamese gangs were involved in the importation.

Police arrested 12 men and seized 1.4 tonnes of ephedrine. Source: NSW Police
Police arrested 12 men and seized 1.4 tonnes of ephedrine. Source: NSW Police

Detective superintendent Deborah Wallace said it’s believed the gangs were involved in a partnership.

“It’s all about who can do the business, and what do we bring to that business,” she said.

“And it’s all about organised crime, it’s about money, it’s about greed and influence.

“At this stage we’ll say it’s a joint operation – they’re working together.

“We believe they each had their role and some people are distributors, some people are importers and each person will have their role in that cycle.”

The ephedrine was diguised in sea salt containers. Source: NSW Police
The ephedrine was diguised in sea salt containers. Source: NSW Police

Commissioner Fuller said five hand guns were also believed along with “well over” $2 million in cash.

“As well as a clan lab turning ephedrine into ice,” he said.

He earlier told radio 2GB it was “the biggest operation for this year in terms of really cutting off the head of the snake of organised crime,” he said.

Police began the investigation in December 2016 revealing a “significant” drug supply network.

“It included plans for a large-scale importation of border controlled drugs,” police said in a statement.

Source: NSW Police
Source: NSW Police


Police and Australian Border Police intercepted a shipping container at Botany Bay on Saturday containing 1.4 tonnes ephedrine, used to make methyl amphetamine.

The drugs were imported in buckets disguised as sea salt for commercial aquariums.