Ten men have been charged following a major multi-agency investigation into an alleged drug trafficking and money-laundering network operating across Australia, with authorities seizing large quantities of illicit drugs, cash and assets.
The operation, led by the Western Australia Joint Organised Crime Task Force (WA JOCTF), uncovered what police allege was a sophisticated syndicate transporting drugs across state borders and funnelling profits into cryptocurrency to evade detection.
Dave Blockley said the operation demonstrated the strength of coordinated law enforcement efforts.
“Police will allege this syndicate had connections across the country and overseas, and partner agencies worked together to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs and associated money laundering,” he said.
“Illicit drugs harm our communities, and the profits derived from them fund further criminal activity.”
Craig Mellors said organised crime groups attempting to operate in Western Australia would face decisive action.
“This investigation shows exactly what will happen to those who test that,” he said.
“We intercept the drugs, follow the money, seize assets and put offenders before the courts.”
During the three-month investigation, officers seized about 114 kilograms of methylamphetamine, 6.3 kilograms of heroin, 4 kilograms of ketamine and more than $1.13 million in suspected proceeds of crime. Authorities estimate the drugs could have been sold as more than 1.1 million individual street deals, preventing more than $57 million from reaching criminal networks.
The WA JOCTF—comprising the Australian Federal Police, Western Australia Police Force, Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and AUSTRAC—worked alongside interstate and international partners, including law enforcement agencies in Vietnam, to dismantle the network.
Police allege members of the syndicate transported drugs into Western Australia by road from interstate, while converting cash from drug sales into cryptocurrency to conceal the proceeds.
Five men, including an alleged 28-year-old ringleader from Eglington, were arrested on 28 April after coordinated raids across multiple Perth suburbs. Officers seized approximately $390,000 in cash, along with 33 kilograms of methamphetamine and 1.4 kilograms of heroin during those searches.
Earlier arrests formed part of the broader investigation. In February, police allegedly uncovered 20 kilograms of methamphetamine, 3 kilograms of ketamine, a firearm and ammunition at a storage unit in Scarborough. In March and April, further vehicle interceptions in regional Western Australia allegedly uncovered additional drug shipments, including 24 kilograms and 34 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Additional arrests were made in South Australia, where a 23-year-old man was charged with money laundering. Authorities allege the network had connections across multiple states and internationally.
Investigations remain ongoing, with police not ruling out further arrests.
All accused remain before the courts, and further proceedings are expected in the coming months.
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