STRIKE FORCE SUGARCANE

On July 2021, NSW Police established Strike Force Sugarcane, coordinated by Task Force Erebus, to investigate a south-west Sydney-based organised criminal network, allegedly operating a ‘dial-a-dealer’ ccaine/drg syndicate.

After a 10 month investigation, a major police operation on 24 May 2022 at 6am was executed, resulting in 29 search warrants across suburbs including Guildford, Merrylands, Chester Hill, South Granville, Casula, Yagoona and Wentworthville.

Outcomes:

18 people arrested, including Assaad Alahmad (brother-in-law of Rafat Alameddine) and alleged mid-level member Trent Jeske. One man in a wheelchair was arrested, while another made offensive gestures at police
Police seized over $250,000 in cash, prohibited drugs, luxury watches, vehicles, encrypted communication devices, mobile phones, and evidence of large-scale dr*g supply.
Investigators claim the syndicate used 36 phones, with one phone linked to over 700 customers, generating more than $250,000 per week.

Beyond the Headlines

Strike Force Sugarcane wasn’t just another police operation, it revealed how Sydney’s dial-a-dealer networks had evolved into a fully-fledged businesses. The use of dozens of phones and a “customer base” of hundreds showed a model that went far beyond small-time neighbourhood dealing. Encrypted devices, weekly revenue in the hundreds of thousands, and strict organisational structures painted the picture of an underground industry that operated in parallel with the mainstream economy.

Suburbs in Focus

The raids across Guildford, Merrylands, Chester Hill, South Granville, Casula, Yagoona and Wentworthville also shone a spotlight on Western Sydney. Police seized luxury watches, cars and stacks of cash.

While Strike Force Sugarcane led to arrests and seizures, history shows that these operations rarely end the cycle. Networks might crumble, but new ones quickly take their place. For every 36 phones shut down, another crew sets up shop with a fresh number. The players might change but unfortunately, the game continues.

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