Three men have been charged and more than $3 million worth of illicit drugs seized following an investigation into the alleged kidnapping of two men during what police claim was a planned cocaine transaction in Sydney’s south-west.
Detectives from the NSW Police Robbery and Serious Crime Squad arrested the trio on Wednesday after a months-long investigation into an alleged kidnapping that unfolded in St Johns Park in April.
Police will allege the incident began about 5.30 pm on 19 April 2026, when officers from Fairfield City Police Area Command were called to Ironside Street following reports of a fight.
Investigators allege two men were assaulted before being kidnapped by a group of five men armed with a firearm and electronic stun devices after arranging to meet them.
Local police initially led the investigation before being transferred to the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad under Strike Force Vexil.
Police allege the two men had travelled to the meeting to supply six kilograms of cocaine and were kidnapped in an attempt to steal the drugs.
Those two men have since been charged and remain before the courts.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives from Strike Force Vexil, assisted by the North West and South West Metropolitan Operations Support Groups and the Raptor Squad, executed simultaneous search warrants at properties in Parramatta, Casula and Arncliffe from about 6.10 am on Wednesday.
During the Parramatta search, police allegedly seized 7.5 kilograms of methylamphetamine, 3.5 kilograms of cocaine, and ammunition. NSW Police estimate the seized drugs have a potential street value of approximately $3 million.
A 23-year-old Parramatta man was arrested and charged with multiple offences, including three counts of supplying a prohibited drug in a quantity greater than the large commercial quantity threshold, robbery in company, kidnapping-related offences, participating in a criminal group and possessing ammunition without a licence.
He was refused bail and is due to appear before Parramatta Local Court today.
A second 23-year-old man was arrested in Casula and charged with supplying a prohibited drug greater than a large commercial quantity, robbery in company, kidnapping-related offences and participating in a criminal group.
He was refused bail and appeared before Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday.
A 33-year-old Arncliffe man was also arrested and charged with robbery in company, kidnapping-related offences, supplying a prohibited drug greater than a large commercial quantity, knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order.
He was refused bail and appeared before Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday.
Police say investigations under Strike Force Vexil remain ongoing.
Anyone with information relating to organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online. Information can be provided confidentially.
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