#Three Men Charged in Australia Darknet Drug Syndicate Investigation

Police have charged three men accused of operating a drug supply network on the darknet from the Hunter region of New South Wales.

Strike Force Fradine, established in March 2026 by the State Crime Command's Cybercrime Squad, investigated the alleged online supply of prohibited drugs by vendors on a darknet marketplace. Following extensive inquiries, detectives determined that three men were allegedly operating a syndicate selling prohibited drugs online to customers.

#Arrests and Charges

On Wednesday, 15 July 2026, at approximately 9pm, strike force detectives executed search warrants in Lambton and Chisholm.

#Lambton Arrest

A 29-year-old man was arrested in Lambton and charged with 10 offences, including:

• Three counts of supply prohibited drug greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity
• Three counts of supply prohibited drug less than small quantity
• Two counts of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis
• Participate in criminal group contribute criminal activity
• Possess prohibited drug

He was refused bail and appeared at Bail Division Local Court 2 on Thursday, 16 July 2026.

#Chisholm Arrests

At the same time, two men were arrested in Chisholm.

A 32-year-old man was charged with 12 offences, including:

• Five counts of prohibited drug greater than small and less than indictable quantity
• Three counts of supply prohibited drug greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity
• Two counts of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis
• Knowingly direct activities of criminal group
• Fail to comply with digital evidence access order direction

Another 32-year-old man was charged with 10 offences, including:

• Three counts of supply prohibited drug greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity
• Three counts of supply prohibited drug greater than small and less than indictable quantity
• Two counts of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis
• Participate in criminal group contribute criminal activity
• Fail to comply with digital evidence access order direction

Both men were refused bail and appeared at Bail Division Local Court 2 on Thursday, 16 July 2026.