newy.com.au – Three men have been charged over an alleged Hunter-based syndicate accused of selling prohibited drugs through a darknet marketplace.
Cybercrime Squad detectives arrested a 29-year-old man at Lambton and two 32-year-old men at Chisholm about 9pm on Wednesday after executing search warrants at both locations.
The arrests followed an investigation by Strike Force Fradine, established by the State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad in March to investigate the alleged online supply of prohibited drugs. Police allege the three men operated a syndicate that sold drugs to customers online.
Darknet marketplaces are illicit online markets offering illegal goods and services, including prohibited drugs and weapons.
The 29-year-old Lambton man was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with 10 offences. They included three counts of supplying a prohibited drug in a quantity greater than indictable but less than commercial, three counts of supplying less than a small quantity, and two counts of supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis. He was also charged with participating in a criminal group and possessing a prohibited drug.
The two Chisholm men were taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station. One was charged with 12 offences, including five prohibited drug offences involving quantities greater than small but less than indictable, three counts of supplying quantities greater than indictable but less than commercial, and two counts of supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis. He was also charged with knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction.
The other 32-year-old was charged with 10 offences, including three counts of supplying quantities greater than indictable but less than commercial, three counts involving quantities greater than small but less than indictable, and two counts of supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis. He also faces charges of participating in a criminal group and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order direction.
All three men were refused bail to appear before Bail Division Local Court 2 on Thursday.
Anyone with information that could assist investigations into illicit drug supply is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed confidentially.
