NSW: Ironside East-Galveston (case study)
Operation IRONSIDE EAST-GALVESTON is a National Anti-Gangs Squad (NAGS) investigation into the Sergeant-at-Arms of the NSW South Coast Comancheros Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG) and his criminal network allegedly involved in money laundering and importing, manufacturing and trafficking illicit drugs in the NSW South Coast region.
The NSW South Coast based criminal syndicate under AFP investigation was allegedly using encrypted communications devices to facilitate their criminal activities. The investigation revealed planned drug importations, international drug trafficking networks, local drug manufacturing and trafficking networks who also allegedly dealt in the proceeds of crime.
A 40-year-old Mount Keira man believed to be the Comancheros OMCG Sergeant-at-Arms in NSW South Coast was identified as the alleged director of the criminal enterprise responsible for organising the importation and trafficking of illicit drugs within the NSW South Coast.
Evidence gathered during this investigation resulted in AFP detectives with NSW Police officers from the NSW Police Southern Region and the Criminal Groups Squad executing search warrants on Sunday, 6 June in Mount Keira, Horsley, Shell Cove and Grabben Gullen.
The Mount Keira man was arrested at his home in the early morning for conspiring to import cocaine, dealing in proceeds of crime and directing the activities of a criminal organisation.
With an associate based offshore it’s further alleged the Mount Keira man was conspiring to import a marketable quantity of cocaine into Australia from Greece, with the drugs alleged to be hidden in olive oil.
A separate target in Operation IRONSIDE EAST-GALVESTON was a 31-year-old Horsley man - believed to be an associate of the Mount Keira man. The man was also arrested at his home on Sunday, 6 June, charged with money laundering offences along with possessing drugs and firearms.
Operation IRONSIDE EAST-GALVESTON has dismantled a significant drug manufacturing and trafficking network causing substantial harm to communities in the NSW South Coast region.
The AFP has not ruled out the possibility of further arrests as aspects of this investigation remain ongoing.
Statistics
- Two arrests
- Five search warrants executed
- 150 police members deployed
Seized items
- One cash counting machine
- Approx. $520,000 cash in multiple bundles – approx. $290,000 allegedly linked to the Mount Keira man and approx. $230,000 allegedly linked to the Horsley man
- Comanchero OMCG paraphernalia
- Eleven mobile phones
- Seven encrypted devices
- Three vehicles including an Audi RS7, a Ducati motorcycle and a Harley Davidson with ‘Comanchero’ insignia
- Multiple satchels of white powder totaling approximately 62 grams suspected to be cocaine
- Approx. two grams of crystal substance suspected to be methamphetamine
- Two unauthorized prohibited firearms including a M4 style Gel Blaster and a Glock style Gel Blaster
- One unauthorised police uniform
- Concealed ammunition
- Steroid tablets