Five men have been arrested and charged after $100 million worth of cocaine was found in shipping containers earlier this year.
More than 200kg of cocaine was seized from three shipping containers following an investigation by the Australian Border Force and the Australian Federal Police in May.
Eight search warrants were executed across Woodpark, Rydalmere, Wentworthville, Plumpton, Merrylands, St Clair, and Seven Hills on Thursday following inquiries.
Police have accused an 18-year-old from Woodpark of directing a local crime syndicate to find the drug-filed containers and break into them after receiving contracts about the shipment.
The cocaine would have then been supplied to a nominated recipient before the alleged crime syndicate would receive payment.
Investigators commonly refer to the method of alleged smuggling as a "rip on, rip off" plot.
Police found a further 4kg of methylamphetamine and 3kg of cocaine during the search warrants, as well as $37,000 in cash, a replica gun, ammunition, luxury jewellery, watches and electronics.
All the items will undergo forensic examination.
The 18-year-old was charged with 12 offences, including knowingly directing a criminal group, taking part in the supply of a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, manufacturing prohibited drugs, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of a crime, possessing ammunition, being in possession of a dedicated encrypted criminal communication device, housebreaking implements, and means of disguising face with the intent to commit an indictable offence.
He was refused bail and will appear in a Childrens Court today.
A 28-year-old man from Plumpton was arrested and charged with eight offences including participating in a criminal group, taking part in the supply of a commercial quantity of drugs, possessing ammunition without holding a licence, possessing housebreaking implements and means of disguising his face with the intent to commit an indictable offence.
He was refused bail and appeared in Blacktown Local Court yesterday.
A second 18-year-old was arrested in Merrylands and was charged with 11 offences including participating in a criminal group, taking part in the supply of a commercial quantity of drugs, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of a crime, possessing an unauthorised pistol, being in possession of a dedicated encrypted criminal communication device, housebreaking implements, and means of disguising face with the intent to commit an indictable offence.
He was refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Local Court today.
A third 18-year-old man was arrested in Bondi and was charged with seven offences, including participating in a criminal group, taking part in the supply of a commercial quantity of drugs, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of a crime, possessing housebreaking implements, and means of disguising face with the intent to commit an indictable offence.
He was refused bail and will appeal in Children's Court today.
A 25-year-old man was arrested in Seven Hills and was charged with participating in a criminal group, dealing with the property and/or proceeds of a crime, possessing ammunition without holding a licence or permit and identifying information to commit an indictable offence.
He was refused bail and appeared in Blacktown Local Court yesterday.
Earlier enquiries saw six others charged in relation to this crime.
