Major Transnational Drug Syndicate Dismantled By Australian Police

A major Asian drug syndicate has been dismantled by New South Wales Police, leading to two men being charged for alleged money laundering and drug supply offences.

A 46-year-old man, reported by the Daily Telegraph as Peter Zhang, flew into Melbourne from Manilla, and was collected by his 44-year-old associate, Yang Wang.

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The pair, believed to be high ranking members of the “Chinese Simon” organised crime syndicate, allegedly planned to help extract a large amount of heroin hidden inside batteries, but before being able to, police intervened.

Strike Force Detectives with assistance from Raptor Squad North detectives executed a search warrant at an address in Point Frederick on the Central Coast.

Officers located approximately 6.5kg of methlamphetamine crystals in the re-crystalline process, as well as equipment consistent with the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs.

Detectives then executed two search warrants at addresses in Riverwood and West Pennant Hills.

At the Riverwood address, Zhang was arrested, and detectives seized a number of items relevant to their investigation, including luxury watches, money counters, a taser, approximately 100kg of cannabis and electronics.

At the West Pennant Hills address, detectives arrested Wang.

Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, Commander of the Organised Crime Squad, said State Crime Command will continue to target transnational organised crime.

“We are always monitoring alleged international organised criminals and their movements across the Australian border, with both concealed illegal drugs and intent to carry out illegal activities that have a serious impact on our state,” he said.

“This is a good result thanks to a multi-faceted approached by offices from the Organised Crime Squad, the Drug and Firearms Squad, the NSW Crime Commission and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.”

Both men were charged with manufacture prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and possess prohibited drug.

They were refused bail and will appear before Downing Centre Local Court on September 21.

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