Joint Agency Operation Disrupts International Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Two arrests have been made in Australia following arrests in Denmark and the United States in connection with a joint agency investigation into the activities of a transnational crime syndicate allegedly involved in conspiring to import cocaine into Australia.

A joint agency task force involving NSW Police Special Crime Unit, Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the NSW Crime Commission has been investigating the activities of a Sydney based syndicate since October last year and has worked co-operatively with a number of overseas law enforcement agencies including the United States Customs and New Zealand Customs Services.

It is alleged that the syndicate was involved in conspiring to import 30kg of cocaine into Australia via sea freight from South America.

A 45-year-old Coogee man was arrested at his home yesterday and is expected to appear at Central Local Court this morning charged with conspiracy to import cocaine.

His alleged co-conspirator, a 42-year-old man, was also arrested at a home in Randwick. He appeared at Central Local Court yesterday charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of cocaine. The man did not apply for bail and was remanded to reappear at Central Local Court on June 25.

Both men were arrested during a series of raids in the Eastern Suburbs and followed a lengthy joint investigation by several Australian law enforcement agencies and their US counterparts.

In similar raids overseas, an American man and his wife were arrested in California and a South African national arrested in Copenhagen, Denmark and charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

AFP Acting General Manager Eastern Operations Peter Drennan said in the past week a further 15 people have been arrested overseas by US law enforcement officers and now face charges relating to the distribution and trafficking of narcotics.

"Co-operation by international law enforcement agencies is vital in order to combat trans-national crime syndicates and to disrupt their illegal activities," Mr Drennan said.

"US authorities have expressed their gratitude to Australian agencies for the assistance we've provided in making those arrests."

Detective Superintendent Mark Wright, Commander Special Crime Unit said inquiries are continuing here and overseas regarding the alleged drug shipment.

"While no drugs have been seized, this operation has severely disrupted the activities of an international drug trafficking syndicate intent on bringing illicit drugs into Australia and has stopped drugs from reaching our streets," Det Supt Wright said.

The Joint Task Force in Australia has been working together for the past four years and has made a number of significant drug seizures during this time, including a record 235kg MDMA haul in December last year.

Issued by the NSW Police Media Unit - (02) 9265 4200
AFP Media contact: Bonnie Warn 02 6275 7715
Authorised by Det Supt Mark Wright, Commander Special Crime Unit
(ref: do: meddocs: meddrel:cocaine180603)