2LT International News

DUBAI, UAE – Five people have been arrested in the UAE and Australia, in relation to what has been described as a transnational criminal syndicate involved in the large-scale importation and supply of prohibited drugs.

Several raids were conducted on Tuesday resulting in the arrests of three men, two in Sydney and one in Muswellbrook. Tuesday’s raids and arrest follow the arrest of two men in Dubai five days ago following the issuance of Interpol Red Notices for the pair earlier this month.

Organised Crime Squad detectives in New South Wales (NSW), Australia have laid charges against the three men arrested in the state on Tuesday, and are seeking the extradition of the two from Dubai.

This week’s developments follow an extensive seven-year investigation which began in December 2013, when detectives from the NSW State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad, together with the NSW Crime Commission, established Strike Force Millstream to investigate the large-scale supply of prohibited drugs, mainly MDMA and methylamphetamine (ice), in NSW.

During the course of the investigation, detectives uncovered a significant transnational drug importation and money laundering operation as well as other organised criminal activity.

Strike Force Millstream investigators have previously charged 16 people over their alleged roles in illicit activities.

Following extensive inquiries, detectives applied for arrest warrants for two men, who were known to be living overseas, for commercial drug importation.

The warrants were granted in January this year, before Interpol Red Notices were issued earlier this month.

Last Thursday, Dubai Police arrested the men aged 34 and 37 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, under the Interpol Red Notices.

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad say they are working with international law enforcement and Commonwealth partner agencies to seek the extradition of the men to Australia.

Following further investigations, Strike Force Millstream detectives executed a search warrant at a home at Baulkham Hills, Sydney and crime scene warrants at two business premises at Badgerys Creek, Sydney from 7am Tuesday.

A NSW Crime Commission Criminal Assets Recovery Act search warrant was also executed at a business at Altair Place, Jamisontown in Sydney.

Detectives were assisted throughout the operation by officers from the Public Order and Riot Squad, North West Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad, the Dog Unit, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit and Australian Border Force investigators.

During the searches, investigators say they seized documentation and other items relevant to the investigation.

A 34-year-old man was arrested at Muswellbrook Police Station.

Police will allege in court that the man was involved in the supply of more than 12kg of MDMA and 7kg of methylamphetamine across NSW. It will be further alleged he dealt with $3 million as the proceeds of crime.

The man remains in custody after he went before Newcastle Local Court via AVL later on Tuesday.

A 36-year-old Erina Heights man was arrested at a hotel at Darling Harbour, Sydney and taken to Day Street Police Station.

Police will allege in court that the man was involved in the supply of more than 20kg of MDMA and 3kg of methylamphetamine across NSW. It will be further alleged he dealt with $4.6 million as the proceeds of crime.

He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court later in the day.

A 57-year-old man was arrested at a home at Baulkham Hills, Sydney and taken to Castle Hill Police Station.

The man was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court later on Tuesday.

Organised Crime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman, said the resolution of Strike Force Millstream ends one of the squad’s longest running drug importation investigations.

“For nearly seven years, our detectives have been working to identify individuals involved in this alleged criminal enterprise responsible for organising and facilitating large-scale drug importations into Australia,” Det Supt Fileman said.

“Throughout the investigation, officers identified a transnational organised crime syndicate involved in facilitating the importation of more than 2.87 tonnes of MDMA and methylamphetamine with an estimated potential street value of more than $150 million.”

“Police will allege members of the syndicate dealt with proceeds of crime worth more than $54 million, allowing them to travel the world in luxury and live a life of opulence while they knowingly preyed on the vulnerabilities of others,” he said.

“Charges under Strike Force Millstream could not have been achieved without the ongoing assistance, dedication and commitment of our partner agencies here in Australia and that of our law enforcement colleagues around the world.”

“Organised Crime Squad detectives, and the wider NSW Police Force, wish to extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to everyone that helped us reach this point in the investigation,” Det Supt Fileman said.

“We also wish to highlight the work of Dubai Police who assisted in the arrest of two international fugitives who are key players in this investigation in the United Arab Emirates last week,” he said.

Since the inception of Strike Force Millstream, Organised Crime Squad detectives say they have had significant assistance from law enforcement agencies including;

Australian Border Force
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
Australian Federal Police
Australian Federal Police International Command (Liaison Officers in UAE and United Kingdom)
Dubai Police
Hamburg Customs Investigation Office (Germany)
Interpol (Abdu Dhabi and ACT)
Northamptonshire Police
National Investigation Department (The Netherlands)
Republic of Moldova; Law Enforcement
South Australia Police
Spanish Guardia Civil (Judical Police Unit, Central Operations Unit, Money Laundering Group)
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency
U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation

Det Supt Fileman said investigations under Strike Force Millstream are continuing.