News

Multiple charges in ‘illicit tobacco’ bust

A MAN from Padstow has been charged after police allegedly uncovered an illicit tobacco importation operation.

In May 2020, Strike Force Polar was established to investigate mid-level crime and drug supply activity within the Bankstown Police Area Command.
About 10am on Monday, July 13, police searched a car on Cory Avenue in Padstow, allegedly seizing more than $9,000 in cash, as well as three parcels containing 21.6 kilograms of loose tobacco and 375 packets of cigarettes. The driver, a 40-year-old man, was released pending further investigations.
Early last Friday morning police searched a home on Cory Avenue, Padstow, allegedly seizing almost $5,000 in cash, 10 kilograms of loose tobacco and ATM deposit receipts totalling close to $280,000 in funds deposited in the last seven days and arrested a man.
With assistance from St George Police Area Command and SWM OSG, a further eight search warrants were executed at self-storage units in Revesby, Padstow, Bexley, Kingsgrove, Canterbury and Annandale last Friday, where police allegedly located and seized 50 kilograms of loose tobacco and 16,230 packets of cigarettes, totalling 324,600 cigarettes.
The man was charged with two counts of import tobacco products with intent to defraud revenue, two counts of convey etc tobacco products know of intent defraud revenue, three counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, two counts of goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle), knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

Refused bail over armed robbery at jewellery store
A MAN has been charged as part of an ongoing investigation into an armed robbery of a jewellery store in Kingsgrove earlier this year.
About 12.30pm on Wednesday, March 11, police were called a jewellery store on Brocklehurst Lane at Kingsgrove, following an alleged armed robbery.
Inquiries revealed that three men allegedly armed with a crowbar and hammer, exited a vehicle on Brocklehurst Lane, entered the store and restrained an employee.
Police said the men smashed several glass display cabinets and stole jewellery – including rings, watches and necklaces – valued at about $180,000 before leaving the area in a vehicle.
A member of the public notified police and went to the assist the employee, who was not physically injured during the incident.
The State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad formed Strike Force Lense and with assistance from the Strike Force Raptor, executed a search warrant at a home at Bexley North early last Tuesday where a 26-year-old man was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact robbery armed/in company and tamper with evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Lense investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.