Image: Cigarettes by Taylor Flowe (Unsplash)
NSW Police have charged seven men over the theft of 1.4 tonnes of tobacco in Sydney.
In September, NSW Police established Strike Force Sheringham to investigate the criminality of members and associates of a high-profile OCN operating in Sydney’s south west.
The investigation revealed the OCN was targeting tobacconists and storage facilities to steal illicit tobacco.
On Friday 22 March 2024 around 8:20 pm, four men were captured on CCTV attempting to break into a storage unit in Casula. Once inside, they loaded $1.5 million worth of cigarettes and $10 000 worth of cigarette papers onto a truck. Liverpool Police Area Command were notified the next day and launched an investigation.
A similar event occurred on Tuesday 22 October that same year, when officers from Cumberland Police Area Command were called to a storage facility in Girraween. Reports indicated that a group of men wearing black hoodies, and covered by face masks, had attempted to break into a unit with box cutters. The men fled the scene before they were able to gain access.
Just over a month later in November, Cumberland Police responded to another incident on Guilford Road where a group of men allegedly attempted to steal the vehicle of a tobacco delivery driver.
Strike Force Detectives Raid 10 Properties
On Tuesday, strike force detectives raided 10 properties, leading to several arrests.
A 47-year-old Merrylands was arrested and charged with a number of offences, including knowingly direct activities of a criminal group. He was refused bail and is scheduled to appear in Parramatta Local Court today.
Some of the arrests were linked to an incident in Guildford in November, where police allege a group of men attempted to steal a tobacco delivery driver’s vehicle.
A 28-year-old man from Granville, a 26-year-old man from Ramsgate Beach, and a 24-year-old man from Five Dock were arrested in connection with that incident.
All three were refused bail and appeared in court yesterday.
Police Seize One Tonne of Cigarettes and 400kg of Loose Tobacco During Raids
During the warrants, police seized one tonne of cigarettes and 400kg of loose tobacco.
Detective Superintendent Jason Box, Commander of State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad, said regardless of their chosen commodity, illegal acts committed by criminal groups will be met with the full force of the NSW Police.
“The criminal and violent acts conducted by OCNs to take possession of illicit tobacco highlights their disregard for the law,” Det Supt Box said.
“Whilst the criminal networks are determined to conduct illegal acts to possess and distribute illicit tobacco for financial gain, they will find that NSW Police are equally determined to eliminate their illegal activities.
“Today’s operation is aimed at putting a stop to violence and crime associated with illicit tobacco supplies.”
Investigations under Strike Force Sheringham continue, including into an incident in North Rocks on Monday 16 December 2024, during which police attached to Parramatta Police Area Command disturbed a group of 20 unknown people running from a storage unit.
Police located approximately $10 million worth of tobacco at the scene.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
You May Also Like
