Organised Crime Network targeted during investigation into illicit tobacco trade; seven charged and 1.4 tonne of tobacco seized
Wednesday, 26 March 2025 04:52:12 AM
Criminal Groups Squad detectives have charged seven men following an investigation into an Organised Crime Network’s (OCN) foray into criminal activity linked to the illicit tobacco trade under Strike Force Sheringham.
Strike Force Sheringham was established in September 2024 by State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad to investigate the criminality of members and associates of a high-profile OCN operating in Sydney’s south west.
During the investigation, it was established the OCN was targeting tobacconists and storage facilities to steal illicit tobacco.
Incidents of note include:
- About 8.20pm on Friday 22 March 2024, four men were captured on CCTV attempting to gain entry to a storage unit in Casula. Once inside, the men loaded several boxes containing $1.5m worth of cigarettes and $10,000 worth of cigarette papers onto a truck. Officers attached to Liverpool Police Area Command were notified the following day and commenced inquiries.
- About 8.20pm on Tuesday 22 October 2024, officers attached to Cumberland Police Area Command were called to a storage facility in Girraween following reports a group of unknown men wearing black hoodies and face masks were attempting to enter a storage unit using a bolt cutter. The men fled the scene before gaining access.
- About 2.35pm on Friday 29 November 2024, officers attached to Cumberland Police Area Command were called to Guildford Road in Guildford, following reports a group of men had allegedly attempted to steal the vehicle of a tobacco delivery driver.
- About 10.30pm on Saturday 4 January 2025, officers attached to Bankstown Police Area Command were called to a business in Condell Park following reports of a break and enter during which a 38-year-old man suffered significant facial injuries and a partially severed toe. Three men were charged and remain before the courts.
Following further extensive inquiries, from about 6am yesterday (Tuesday 25 March 2025), strike force detectives – assisted by Raptor Squad, North West Metropolitan Region and South West Metropolitan Operational Support Groups, and NSW Health – executed 10 search warrants across Sydney’s south west.
At an address in Granville, detectives arrested a 28-year-old man. He was taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with robbery in company relating to the incident in Guildford in November last year. The man was refused bail and appeared in Parramatta Local Court the same day.
During a search in Ramsgate beach, officers arrested a 26-year-old man. He was taken to Kogarah Police Station where he was charged with robbery in company, relating to the incident in Guildford last November. The man was refused bail and appeared in Bankstown Local Court.
At an address in Merrylands, police arrested a 47-year-old man. He was taken to Granville Police Station, where he was charged with accessory before the fact to take etc in company with intent get advantage occasion actual bodily harm, accessory before the fact to aggravated break and enter with intent-in company-steal etc >$60K, and knowingly direct activities of criminal group, relating to the incident in Condell Park in January. He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court today (Wednesday 26 March 2025).
About 7.30am at a secondary address in Merrylands, police arrested a 26-year-old man. He was taken to Granville Police Station where he was charged with robbery in company, relating to the incident in Guildford last November. He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court today.
In Westmead, strike force detectives arrested a 26-year-old man. He was taken to Parramatta Police Station where he was charged with breach of bail and appeared in Parramatta Local Court the same day. The man was also issued a Firearm Prohibition Order.
About 6am, a 28-year-old man was arrested during a search warrant in Greystanes. He was taken to Granville Police Station, where he was charged with five counts of aggravated break and enter with intent-in company-steal etc >$60K, relating to the incident in Casula in March 2024, and in Girraween in October. He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court today.
Simultaneously, strike force detectives arrested a 24-year-old man at unit in Five Dock. He was taken to Campsie Police Station, where he was charged with robbery in company relating to the incident in Guildford last November. The man was refused bail and appeared in Bankstown Local Court.
During the warrants, police seized one tonne of cigarettes and 400kg of loose tobacco.
Detective Superintendent Jason Box, Commander of State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad, said regardless of their chosen commodity, illegal acts committed by criminal groups will be met with the full force of the NSW Police.
“The criminal and violent acts conducted by OCNs to take possession of illicit tobacco highlights their disregard for the law,” Det Supt Box said.
“Whilst the criminal networks are determined to conduct illegal acts to possess and distribute illicit tobacco for financial gain, they will find that NSW Police are equally determined to eliminate their illegal activities.
“Today’s operation is aimed at putting a stop to violence and crime associated with illicit tobacco supplies.”
Investigations under Strike Force Sheringham continue, including into an incident in North Rocks on Monday 16 December 2024, during which police attached to Parramatta Police Area Command disturbed a group of 20 unknown people running from a storage unit.
At the scene, police located approximately $10 million worth of tobacco.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.