The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have arrested a 27-year-old man following the discovery of more than $500,000 in cash, cocaine, methamphetamine, and other items linked to drug trafficking at a unit in Rhodes, Sydney.
The man was allegedly seen in East Ryde on 20 November 2024 collecting money believed to be tied to criminal activities. Investigators followed him to his apartment, where they executed a search warrant.
Authorities seized over half a million dollars in cash, suspected cocaine and methamphetamine, a cash-counting machine, drug paraphernalia, and multiple mobile phones. Packaging materials linked to a drug importation in August 2024 were also found.
AFP Detective Superintendent Bill Polychronopoulos, who leads Taskforce Gain, said the operation demonstrates the AFP’s commitment to combating organised crime.
“The AFP is working tirelessly to make Australia a hostile environment for organised crime syndicates,” he said.
“Criminals involved in drug trafficking do not care about the harm they cause to Australian communities – they put our community at risk of violence for their own greed.”
The man was charged with:
- Trafficking a marketable quantity of a controlled drug, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment under section 302.3 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
- Dealing with criminal proceeds greater than or equal to $100,000, which has a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment under section 400.4 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
He appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court on 21 November 2024, where bail was formally refused. The accused is scheduled to return to court on 15 January 2025.
The investigation is ongoing.
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