Posted: 2024-09-19 02:30:30

Police have dismantled a criminal network in Sydney they allege sold $1.8 billion worth of cocaine in four months

The gang, dubbed 'The Commission', was allegedly involved in the distribution of more than 1.2 tonnes of cocaine across Sydney over a four-month period, which police say equated to about 6 million separate drug deals.

NSW Police said the network allegedly played the role of government, bank and economy to Sydney's criminal underworld.

Police officers approach a house

Police executed 20 search warrants at homes across Sydney. (Supplied: NSW Police)

They say its power lay in its ability to coordinate the distribution of drugs across the country, setting prices, managing supplies and eliminating people who challenged their dominance.

"We're alleging that this syndicate was extremely disciplined and coordinated and each [person] played a unique and important part in the organised crime network," Commander of the NSW Organised Crime Squad Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said.

"The Commission is a group of high-powered, organised crime networks who come together and manipulate the quantities of drugs that are distributed."

Detectives began investigating the group when they arrested a 21-year-old man in Guildford in July and seized 13 kilograms of cocaine worth more than $55 million.

A bag of packages containing drugs

A large amount of drugs was seized by police.     (Supplied: NSW Police)

On Wednesday, tactical police raided 20 homes across Sydney, arresting six men and seizing 20kg of cocaine, cars, cash, firearms and a Rolex watch.

The men have been charged in relation to the raids and faced court on Thursday.

Police said they located 20 guns, a clandestine laboratory and bulletproof vests as part of the raids. 

The ABC's Four Corners revealed earlier this week that slain underworld figure Alen Moradian held a powerful position within the shadowy syndicate of drug lords.

A gun

Police seized four guns in the raids. (Supplied: NSW Police)

Police allege the supply ring consisted of an onshore controller, a distributor, and drug runners who distributed the drugs to about 10 other criminal networks within Sydney. 

"These people were very structured and organised in what they did ... and would never be seen by the people that they were supplying the drugs to," Superintendent Faux said.

"These arrests today will result in many criminals becoming unemployed as the large-scale drug supply that finances their crimes dries up.

"For those criminal groups who intend to fill this hole left by yesterday's arrests, know that we are waiting for you and are fully prepared to prosecute you for any crimes you commit that endanger the public of NSW."

Wads of cash on the ground

Police seized cash and drugs in the raids. (Supplied: NSW Police)

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said it was clear there was a "massive appetite" for cocaine across Sydney.

"That concerns me greatly, the market is driven by demand," she said.

"My final message is clear, if you think you can step into the breach left by yesterday's arrests, tempted by greed, then I say to you 'think again'."

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