NSW Police Force Drug and Firearms Squad detectives in partnership with the Queensland Police Service have charged five men over an alleged $14 million drug supply syndicate accused of extracting cocaine concealed in timber.
Strike Force Capulin was established in August 2025 by State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad to investigate the alleged large-scale supply of prohibited drugs in northern New South Wales.
The investigation commenced after detectives received intelligence that inside four tonnes of timber planks was about 100 kilograms of cocaine allegedly set to be extracted by the syndicate.
On Friday 2 January 2026, strike force detectives arrested a 33-year-old man in Kingsford, allegedly in possession of two kilograms of cocaine and $6,800 cash.
He was taken to Maroubra Police Station and charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, two counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime greater than $5000, supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug indictable & commercial quantity.
The 33-year-old man was refused bail and appeared at Bail Division Local Court 7 on Saturday 3 January 2026, where he was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 26 February 2026.
Ballina connection
Investigators will allege in court that the man had flown from Ballina to Sydney for the alleged purpose of picking up prohibited drugs.
Following inquiries, on Sunday 4 January 2026, investigators searched a car parked at Ballina Airport, where they allegedly uncovered a duffle bag containing 723 grams of cocaine, 112 grams of ketamine and almost $400,000 in cash.
Detectives also searched a mobile phone, where they allegedly uncovered photos and videos of what appeared to be 100 kilograms of cocaine impregnated into wooden planks. The origin of the timber remains under investigation.
Investigators established that the planks were being stored in sheds on the Gold Coast and in Lismore.
About 2.40pm Thursday 22 January 2026, strike force detectives – with assistance of Queensland Police – executed a crime scene warrant at a property in Lismore, allegedly seizing six tonnes of wooden planks.
At the same time – investigators from the Queensland State Drug Squad – executed a search warrant in Moledinar, Queensland – where officers allegedly located a significant number of wooden planks inside a clandestine extraction lab.
Arrests
Four men – aged 42, 45, 46 and 55-years-old – were arrested and charged with producing dangerous drugs (cocaine) and possession of relevant items including a cocaine press.
Following extensive inquiries, about 7.30am yesterday (Tuesday 10 February 2026) strike force detectives from State Crime Command’s Drugs and Firearms Squad, attended a home at Ocean Shores.
A 33-year-old man was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station, where he was charged with supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity and knowingly direct activities of criminal group.
He was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Local Court 1 today (Wednesday 11 February 2026).
Detective Superintendent John Watson says the partnership between NSW Police and Queensland police was critical to this outcome. ‘Information flowed quickly, resources were shared, and the result is a major disruption to organised crime,’ Det Supt John Watson said.
‘Cross-border crime requires cross-border policing. This operation is a strong example of how collaboration delivers real results. Criminal groups continue to evolve their methods, and this attempt to conceal cocaine within timber products was highly calculated. Our teams were ready for it, and their action ensured drugs never made the streets.’
Tactical actions
Acting Detective Superintendent Brad Phelps stated that effective collaboration between policing jurisdictions enabled timely tactical actions to be undertaken.
‘These actions resulted in disrupting this criminal activity and prevented a significant quantity of cocaine from making its way onto the streets and causing community harm’, said Act. Det. Supt. Phelps.
‘This investigation highlights the lengths that organised criminal syndicates will go to in order to attempt to avoid detection by law enforcement agencies. This concealment methodology, of impregnating cocaine into timber planks, had not been detected in Queensland previously.’
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