The 12-month investigation has resulted in the arrest of 28 people allegedly connected to a syndicate in Lebanon which is linked to the movement of various illegal activities including drugs and money laundering into Australia.
Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson alleged the criminal group had been heavily involved in the trade of drugs in Australia and the violence as a result of it.
"Many of what had been called gangland shootings upon investigation have found to be quite different motivations on occasions," he added.
One of the numerous arrests that concluded the onshore operation was when police intercepted a 40-year-old man, believed to be one of the Australian facilitators of the organised criminal network, at Sydney International Airport on Sunday.
He was taken to Mascot Police Station where he was charged with nine offences including knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, three counts of supplying prohibited drugs, and five counts of dealing with property the proceeds of crime in excess of $4.4 million.
He was refused bail and faced court on Monday.
During the operation and the numerous arrests, the 450-officer-strong investigation made a number of seizures of drugs, guns and luxury items.
A number of the other people arrested will face courts across Sydney today and over the next week.
Police have flagged the operation is not yet over after issuing an arrest warrant for a 37-year-old man believed to be in Lebanon.
He's wanted on an outstanding warrant relating to alleged drug-related offences.
However, Australia does not have an extradition agreement with Lebanon.
There are another four people overseas that police are hunting.
"There are four people we are aware (are) overseas at the moment who we will allege played an important part in this organised crime network and if they remain, I'm sure we will take warrants out for the arrest," Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said.
Police have labelled the criminal network as one of the most powerful in Australian history.
"We will allege this international network had tentacles far-reaching into all levels of organised crime here in NSW and is believed to have controlled the illicit drug trade through methods such as price-determining and fixing," Hudson said.
"We also believe this alleged criminal syndicate was capable of serious and violent crime, and our state is a safer place with them off our streets."
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFodHRwczovL3d3dy45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvbnN3LWNyaW1lLWludGVybmF0aW9uYWwtY3JpbWUtc3luZGljYXRlLWd1bnMtZHJ1Z3MtdG9iYWNjby1tb25leS1sYXVuZGVyaW5nL2U4YTEzMDM5LTdjMGItNGEwZS04ZWY4LWFiNzQ4ZWVmOGNjZdIBRWh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLjluZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9hcnRpY2xlL2U4YTEzMDM5LTdjMGItNGEwZS04ZWY4LWFiNzQ4ZWVmOGNjZQ?oc=5
2023-11-15 05:44:39Z
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