'Cease all contact now': police text 50,000 alleged drug customers

This was one of the first times police have dismantled a criminal syndicate using this capability, detective superintendent Grant Taylor said

The text message read "the NSW Police Force: Strike Force Wessex has identified this number engaging with an organised crime drug supply 'dial-a-dealer' phone".

"If this continues you may be subject to further investigation. Cease all contact now."

The customers allegedly bought drugs from 26 dial-a-dealer suppliers based in Sydney, police said.

Investigators worked with telecommunications networks, as well as the officers from the forensic evidence and technical services command, to shut down the phone numbers of alleged dealers.

"Exploiting new technological capabilities, and using our relationship with various Australian telecommunication companies, we've been able to shut down these phones that were running up to millions of dollars' worth of drugs per week - anything from cannabis to cocaine to ice," detective superintendent Taylor said.

"But phase one was just the beginning," he said.

"Now we've disrupted the dealers' direct line to their customers, we can turn our attention to those at the top - the criminal syndicate controlling these phones and we'll be coming after them next."

Police charged two people who were allegedly responsible for supplying the dealers with fraudulent SIM cards to hide their identity.

A 71-year-old woman was arrested and charged with two counts of dealing with proceeds of crime after police searched her mobile phone store in Bankstown on December 12, 2023.

Investigators allegedly found "hundreds of fraudulent subscribed SIM cards" at the store and $60,000 cash.

A 53-year-old man was arrested at a convenience store in Bass Hill and charged with two counts of dealing with property proceeds of crime and two counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception on January 30, 2024.

Police arrested two alleged dealers, aged 50 and 19, in the Sydney suburb of Cartwright on February 7 where multiple mobile phones, $3700 in cash, a baton and two gel blasters were seized.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.