In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, police forces in New South Wales and Western Australia have confiscated nearly 268 kilograms of illicit substances and millions in cash, resulting in 18 arrests.

The operation, known as Strike Force Bloomfield, was a collaborative effort between the two state authorities aimed at dismantling a drug syndicate. Police allege this organization was smuggling drugs into the country by sea, cleverly concealing them within shipments of shoes and plastics.

Once in Australia, the drugs and cash were reportedly distributed across state lines via postal services and airplane couriers, dubbed ‘drug mules.’

Over the course of the investigation, spanning from May to October of this year, law enforcement executed 30 search warrants across both states.

The operation led to the seizure of 150 kilograms of pseudoephedrine, 95 kilograms of methylamphetamine, 21 kilograms of ketamine, 2 kilograms of cocaine, 14 firearms, chemical lab equipment, and nearly $2.4 million in cash.

The drugs seized have an estimated value of $60 million.

NSW Police made arrests all over Sydney, including in the Eastern Suburbs in Randwick, in Blacktown in Western Sydney, and Liverpool in Sydney’s south-west.

The 18 people have been charged with a range of offences and those charged in New South Wales appeared in various courts across Sydney in October. 

They were all refused bail.

Seven men were arrested and charged in Western Australia, have all been remanded in custody, and will face court within the next month.