Two individuals suspected of being part of a South American crime syndicate have been arrested in Sydney over an alleged scheme to sell counterfeit cocaine to local criminal groups. The suspects reportedly arrived in Sydney from Spain in May 2025, aiming to distribute 95 kilograms of the fake drug.
On the evening of June 11, police executed a search warrant at a unit in North Rocks. During the operation, officers seized ten bricks of a white substance believed to be cocaine, along with $121,000 in cash, foreign currency, 14 mobile phones, numerous SIM cards, bank cards, and documents related to foreign currency transfers and cryptocurrency.
Subsequent testing of the seized substance confirmed it was not cocaine. However, authorities allege that the syndicate had sold this counterfeit cocaine to several criminal networks in Sydney for approximately $90,000 per kilogram since May. Reports suggest that this fraudulent operation may have also been attempted in London earlier in the year.
Five individuals were taken into custody at the scene, with two men, aged 61 and 27, charged with commercial drug supply. The remaining three individuals were released as investigations continue. The two charged have been denied bail and are scheduled to appear in court today.