Moorebank, Sydney: Alleged drug runner accused of selling cocaine online is charged by police

An accused cocaine and meth dealer was arrested after police allegedly discovered drugs inside jigsaw puzzles which were intended for sale on the dark web.

Officers raided the home of Sydney man Matthew Spencer Smith, 35, about 8.30am on Thursday and allegedly discovered drugs hidden inside children’s puzzles.

NSW Police, who conducted a lengthy investigation which culminated in Smith’s arrest, will allege the drugs were intended for distribution online and the 35-year-old was operating as an online vendor. 

Smith was arrested by Cybercrime Squad detectives at a Moorebank home in Sydney’s west.

During a search of the property, they also allegedly seized $400,000 in cash, electronic devices, designer watches and jewellery.

A Sydney man who stands accused of selling meth, cocaine and other illegal drugs online has been charged by police (pictured, some of the money seized by officers)

Police will allege Matthew Spencer Smith was selling the drugs – including cocaine and meth – on the dark web (pictured, how the drug runner was allegedly passing on the drugs to customers)

During a search of Smith’s property, police allegedly seized $400,000 cash, electronic devices, designer watches (pictured) and jewellery

Officers also allegedly found packages containing prohibited drugs concealed within jigsaw puzzles, as well as further packages that had been allegedly prepared for distribution.

Another premises in Moorebank was later searched as well as several PO boxes, where officers seized more than $500,000 cash and more packages containing alleged illicit substances.

At a unit at Penshurst, detectives also found a series of packages that will be forensically examined.  

Smith was charged with 10 offences, including knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, supplying prohibited drugs for more than large commercial quantities, and supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.

He appeared at Liverpool Local Court on Friday and was refused bail to re-appear in May.

Cybercrime Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, said police will continue to monitor activity on the dark web to catch those selling illegal products.  

‘The sale of illicit drugs on the dark web can be difficult to investigate but by no means impossible. This arrest should send a clear message that your identity can be exposed, and you will be prosecuted,’ he said.

Police allegedly found a number of drugs hidden inside jigsaw puzzles at a home in Sydney’s west on Thursday

Matthew Spencer Smith was charged with 10 offences, including knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime and supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis

Investigations as part of Strike Force Orielton are ongoing, with further arrests across NSW anticipated (pictured, a puzzle allegedly containing drugs)

‘It will be alleged that this individual used cryptocurrency to facilitate transactions made on the dark web before posting prohibited drugs in the mail – and alarmingly, police located prohibited drugs concealed in games, like jigsaw puzzles.

‘Police will continue to target the drug trade at every level of the supply chain – whether purchased on the street, online or elsewhere.’

Investigations under Strike Force Orielton are ongoing, with further arrests anticipated.