Trio arrested as police seize $260 million of drugs allegedly linked to Asian crime syndicate

Three men have been arrested and police have seized more than $250 million worth of drugs allegedly linked to an international crime syndicate they say is operating out of South-East Asia.

In sweeping raids on Tuesday afternoon, organised crime squad detectives working under Strike Force Barberton raided five properties in Mays Hill, Bankstown, Campsie and Bonnyrigg Heights.

Armed police wearing ventilation masks raid properties allegedly used as safe houses.Credit: NSW Police

NSW Police and the NSW Crime Commission launched the strike force to investigate drug supply across the state allegedly being coordinated by an international crime syndicate.

During the raids, police seized 415kg of illicit drugs, including 287kg of methamphetamine, 47kg of cocaine, 81kg of heroin and 838g of MDMA. Police allege the drugs have a street value of $260 million.

They also seized three handguns, more than 300 rounds of ammunition and a bulletproof vest. Footage of the raids shows heavily armed officers wearing ventilation masks storming the properties on Tuesday afternoon.

Detectives arrested two alleged members of a group police say was working under the direction of the international syndicate, Jamey Le Tran, 26, and Edward Huynh, 19, at a Mays Hill property allegedly being used as a safe house.

Organised crime squad detectives have arrested three men allegedly linked to an international crime syndicate operating out of South-East Asia.Credit: NSW Police

Both were charged with two counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of a commercial drug, and participating in a criminal group. They were refused police bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.

A third man, aged 26, was arrested at a Bonnyrigg Heights property allegedly being used as a safe house. He was charged with two counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug dealing with property alleged to be the proceeds of crime.

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The arrests come after a spate of violent incidents across Sydney allegedly linked to Asian organised crime gangs, including a foiled alleged murder plot last week.

Detectives say a Vietnamese crime syndicate, The Final Crime Family, commissioned the execution of an employee who had fallen foul of the group.

That incident, along with several others, has placed Vietnamese organised crime gangs that have long flown under the radar back in police sights.

More to come

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