Sydney, Australia — Two men allegedly linked to a South American crime syndicate have been charged with commercial drug supply following a police raid in Sydney that uncovered a plot to sell fake cocaine to other criminal groups.
Police allege the suspects, aged 61 and 27, travelled from Spain to Australia in May 2025 with plans to sell 95 kilograms of what they claimed was cocaine for $90,000 per kilogram.
Officers executed a search warrant at a residential unit in North Rocks, where they seized 10 bricks of a white substance suspected to be cocaine, along with $121,000 in Australian currency, foreign money, 14 mobile phones, numerous SIM cards, several bank cards, and documentation related to international financial and crypto transfers.
Subsequent forensic testing confirmed the substance was not cocaine.
Police believe the group had already sold fake cocaine to four separate criminal networks across Sydney since arriving in May. Authorities also allege the same scam was carried out earlier this year in London.
A total of five people were arrested during the North Rocks operation. Three were released pending further investigation, while the two charged individuals were denied bail and are expected to appear in court today.
Law enforcement officials say the investigation is ongoing and further charges may be laid as inquiries continue.
