Over 30 arrested, drugs seized in Sydney police crackdown on crime syndicates

20/12/2024 16:45

A Sydney police task force targeting organized crime syndicates has arrested 33 people and seized drugs worth millions of U.S. dollars.



Police in the state of New South Wales on Friday said that 33 people had been charged by detectives from Task Force Lupin since it was secretly established in July to address an escalating conflict between organized crime networks hailing from Asia.



In addition to the arrests, police seized prohibited drugs worth more than 10 million Australian dollars as well as 600,000 Australian dollars in cash, seven firearms and more than 20 dedicated encrypted criminal communication devices.



Detectives executed over 35 search warrants and identified three clandestine methamphetamine labs, two in western Sydney and one in the remote town of Mollyan over 300 kilometers northwest of the city.



Detective Superintendent Peter Faux, commander of the NSW Police organized crime squad, said the task force worked tirelessly and covertly for six months.

"Our covert task force's efforts have culminated in a major breakthrough against organized crime hailing from Asia in southwest Sydney, with over 30 arrests made," he said in a statement.



"These were dangerous criminals capable of violent crime and the message today is simple: there is no place for this sort of violence on our streets."