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Rock Musician Azaria Byrne and Partner Charged in Sydney Drug Syndicate Bust

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Sydney Drug Syndicate Arrests Lead to Charges for Musician Azaria Byrne and Associates

Rock musician Azaria Byrne, 45, and his fiancée, Brooke Mitchell, 28, have been arrested and charged in connection with a large-scale drug supply syndicate operating in Sydney. The arrests occurred on Wednesday, following an investigation by Strike Force Dulce.

Byrne and Mitchell face serious charges, including supplying large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs and participating in a criminal group.

Arrests and Initial Charges

Byrne and Mitchell were taken into custody at their Earlwood home. Both have been charged with supplying large commercial quantities of a prohibited drug, participating in a criminal group, and dealing with the proceeds of crime. Byrne additionally faces charges for acquiring illegal firearms parts and a flick knife, which were allegedly discovered at his residence.

Mitchell's mother, Joanne Cullip, 61, who also lives at the Earlwood address, was arrested and charged with participating in a criminal group. She was subsequently granted police bail and is scheduled to appear in court in April.

Extensive Drug Seizures Uncovered

Authorities reported significant drug seizures across multiple locations linked to the syndicate:

  • Earlwood Home: Police allegedly found cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, LSD, ketamine, and diazepam at the residence shared by Byrne, Mitchell, and Cullip.
  • Leichhardt Warehouse: At a converted warehouse Byrne sub-leases to musicians and recording studios, detectives allegedly discovered a substantial cache of drugs. This included approximately 25 kilograms of ketamine, 17 kilograms of cannabis, 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, 3.5 kilograms of MDMA, 5.6 kilograms of diazepam, half a kilogram of magic mushrooms, 70 grams of methamphetamine, and nearly 20,000 pills believed to contain LSD. Additionally, $200,000 in cash was seized. Drug detection dogs reportedly located some of the drugs in a secret room.
  • Marrickville Lab: A property in Marrickville was raided, leading to the seizure of ketamine, MDMA, and equipment allegedly used for drug manufacturing.
  • Additional Searches: Raids at homes in Marrickville, Balmain, and Dulwich Hill resulted in the alleged discovery of cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, magic mushrooms, prescription medication, cannabis, LSD, and over $40,000 in cash.

The combined street value of the drugs seized from the Leichhardt warehouse alone is estimated at $5.5 million.

Alleged Syndicate Structure and Key Players

Police allege Azaria Byrne directed the local activities of the drug syndicate. Mitchell and her mother are accused of assisting in the distribution of drugs that were purportedly manufactured at the Marrickville lab.

Oliver Dibley, 33, a producer and vocalist based in Los Angeles, was arrested in Potts Point. Detectives allege Dibley served as the offshore ringleader, directing the syndicate's operations from the United States. He has been charged with numerous counts of drug supply, dealing with property alleged to be proceeds of crime, and knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group.

Several other individuals were also arrested and charged with drug supply offenses for their alleged roles in distributing the syndicate's drugs:

  • Andrew Donald Kirkby, 38, of Marrickville
  • Tayler Paul Richard Pride, 37, of Dulwich Hill
  • Onur Karaozbek, 43, of Balmain

Kirkby and Pride also face charges related to dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Keisha Seru, 37, of Surry Hills, was arrested and charged with four counts of possessing a prohibited drug and participating in a criminal group after cannabis, magic mushrooms, and dexamphetamine were allegedly found during a raid on the Marrickville home. She was granted police bail.

Court Appearances and Ongoing Investigation

Byrne and Mitchell were refused bail during their court appearances and are scheduled to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on May 14.

Dibley, Kirkby, Pride, and Karaozbek were also remanded in custody to face court in May. Cullip and Seru were granted police bail to appear in April.

Acting Superintendent Gretchen Atkins stated that the arrests have resulted in