The NSW Police Force along with the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Border Force executed multiple operations earlier this week of over 28 simultaneous search warrants in Kurrajong, Glenwood, Londonderry, Cabramatta, Canley Vale, Georges Hall, Merrylands, Minchinbury, Seven Hills, Fairfield, and Penrith, and Forde, ACT.

The operation occured after a shipping container at Port Botany was examined and intercepted over the weekend, revealing a concealment of over a tonne of ephedrine. The ephedrine was concealed in buckets labelled as sea salt and is the largest seizure of ephedrine on record, which is a precursor for methamphetamine. It is estimated the amount of ephedrine seized could make up to 1.3 tonnes of ice, with an estimated potential street value of $650 million.

The investigation by NSW State Crime Command's Gang Squad began back in December 2016 after reports of extortion involving the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang. This led to a significant drug supply network that planned for large scale drug smuggling, which eventually led to the interception of the container at Port Botany.

During the warrants, a clandestine laboratory was located at the Georges Hall address, which was promptly dismantled by the Drug Squad’s Chemical Operation Team. Officers also seized five handguns, 6kg of ice, 10kg of ephedrine, a portable clandestine laboratory, and more than $2 million cash. Investigators arrested 12 men aged between 23 and 44 who were taken to local police stations and charged over their alleged roles in the network.

The ABF are continuing to work closely with domestic and international organisations to combat the common threats in our communities, in the smartest and most efficient ways.