Secret Harbour, Coodanup, Dudley Park men charged following investigation into national drug, money laundering syndicate

Three local men have been charged following an investigation into an alleged drug and money laundering syndicate operating across Australia.

The syndicate allegedly attempted to traffic methylamphetamine and heroin into WA in vehicles they were driving from interstate and transferred the alleged cash from drug sales into cryptocurrency in a bid to avoid police detection.

Police seized about 114kg of methamphetamine, 6.3kg of heroin, 4kg of ketamine and $1,132,000 of suspected proceeds of crime during the three-month investigation. 

All together, ten men have been charged.

Five of those men, including the alleged syndicate leader – a 28-year-old man from Eglington – were arrested last month after police raided properties in Eglington, Secret Harbour, Coodanup, High Wycombe, Queens Park and Dudley Park.

Various items were seized during those search warrants, including jewellery suspected as being the proceeds of crime, about $390,000 cash, 33kg of methylamphetamine and 1.4kg of heroin.

A 22-year-old Secret Harbour man has been charged with 10 offences including possessing a trafficable quantity of methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply it to another, supplying a prohibited drug (heroin) and receiving, possessing, concealing, disposing or dealing with any money or property that is the proceeds of an offence.

A 23-year-old Coodanup man has also been charged with similar offences.

A 21-year-old Dudley Park man has been charged with receiving, possessing, concealing, disposing or dealing with any money or property that is the proceeds of an offence.

Combined, the illicit drugs seized during the investigation prevented more than $57 million reaching the pockets of criminals. 

Collectively, the methylamphetamine and heroin could have been sold as 1.1 million individual street deals.

AFP Detective Acting Inspector Dave Blockley said the WA JOCTF remained committed to disrupting the supply of illicit drugs and confiscating the associated profits from criminal networks.

“Police will allege this syndicate had connections across the country and overseas, and the AFP engaged its network across Australia and internationally, with partner agencies assisting to identify and disrupt the alleged drug supply and associated money laundering,” Det a/Insp Blockley said.

“Illicit drugs harm our communities the profits derived from the sale of these substances can be used to fund further criminal activities.

“The WA JOCTF’s combination of capability, resources and partnerships is a strong warning to criminals that we are unwavering in our determination to stop them exploiting our communities.”

Investigations are ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out.