A man from Sydney's eastern suburbs, who describes himself as 'creative technologist', has been charged with allegedly running an international drug importation ring over the "dark web" that imported millions of dollars worth of illicit drugs into Australia.
The 33-year-old man was arrested when heavily-armed police swooped on his Vaucluse unit on Thursday morning with officers allegedly finding cocaine, computers, mobile phones, a diamond ring, $70,000 cash and $350,000 worth of cryptocurrency.
In February, Strikeforce Bergmark began investigating the syndicate believed to be importing illicit drugs from Europe via postal services.
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With help from Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police and interstate police, the strike force tracked suspicious packages arriving in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
Police will allege in court these packages contained ketamine, MDMA and cocaine.
The man was charged with 45 counts, including importing and supplying commercial quantities of prohibited drugs and directing a criminal group.
He was refused bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on Friday.
During the investigation, police claim they seized more than half a kilogram of cocaine, more than five litres of liquid MDMA, more than six kilograms of MDMA ('Ecstasy') pills, more than one kilogram of ketamine, over 800 grams of MDMA rock, and over half a kilogram of methylamphetamine.
