SYDNEY, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Detectives from an Australian strike force investigating Southeast Asian organized crime networks have charged two men after seizing almost 60 kg of illicit drugs during raids in southwest Sydney.
The police force in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said in a statement on Thursday that detectives from Strike Force Lupin observed a 23-year-old man dropping off two boxes in western Sydney before leaving the area around 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday.
A second 23-year-old man was arrested when he arrived at the scene to collect the boxes, which were found to contain 16 kg of methamphetamine and 10,500 Australian dollars (7,300 U.S. dollars) in cash.
Detectives later on Wednesday executed search warrants at a home and property in southwest Sydney, where they located and seized another 28 kg of methamphetamine, 15.7 kg of ketamine and around 128,000 AUD (89,012 USD) in cash.
A 23-year-old man was arrested at the home and was charged with three counts of supplying a prohibited drug in a large commercial quantity, while the other man was charged with one count of the same offense.
If convicted, they both face maximum sentences of life imprisonment.
Strike Force Lupin was established by the NSW Police Force in 2024 to investigate organized crime networks from Southeast Asia operating in the state. ■
