Strike Force Jillabenan Media Release

An international joint investigation between the NSW Police Organised Crime Squad (OCS), NSW Crime Commission, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United States Navy (USN) has resulted in three men charged with conspiracy to supply three tonnes of cocaine in NSW.

Strike Force Jillabenan was established by OCS detectives in 2020 to investigate the large-scale supply of prohibited drugs across NSW. The investigation uncovered a significant transnational organised crime syndicate operating in Australia and South America that was facilitating the importation of illicit drugs.

After further investigations, the USN seized 870kg of cocaine off the coast of Colombia in October 2020 and a further 900kg was seized off the Ecuadorian coast in April this year.

On Thursday 3 June 2021, two men were arrested in the Lake Macquarie Area NSW. One man was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply prohibited drug (large commercial), large commercial drug supply and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity. The second man was charged with large commercial drug supply.

A number of search warrants were also executed in various locations in the Sydney region. A third man was arrested and charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply prohibited drug (large commercial), two counts large commercial drug supply and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

Strike Force Jillabenan investigations continue.