Pubdate: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 Source: Illawarra Mercury (Australia) Copyright: Illawarra Newspapers Contact: http://mercury.illnews.com.au/ POLICE SMASH KINGS CROSS HEROIN RING An FBI fugitive was among 13 alleged heroin racketeers arrested by detectives in a day-long series of raids in Sydney's red light district. Narcotics, firearms, cash and jewellery worth $700,000 were seized in Monday's busts, a joint operation involving 82 NSW police and National Crime Authority operatives. Twin strike-force teams, codenamed Elan and Poido, pounced after word leaked out about the syndicate expanding its activities, Kings Cross Chief Inspector Jeff Steer said. "They'd planned to spread their organisation to include the Town Hall - in the city - Bondi and Wollongong areas," Insp Steer said. "So we acted when we thought it was the right time to take the persons out." Superintendent Bob Myatt said the operation smashed what police believe was a major heroin distribution ring in Kings Cross. "We expect it will have a significant impact on the heroin trade in the area," he said. Police also said they hoped the execution of 11 search warrants over an 18-hour period would assuage accusations they were doing little to stem the tide of inner-city drug abuse. "Needless to say, claims that police were not taking action on drugs in the area have been misleading and completely incorrect," Mr Myatt said. "Drug arrests in Kings Cross have doubled over the past 12 months with nearly 1000 charges since July last year. "The arrests made during this operation send a clear message to suppliers and dealers that we are serious about cracking down on drugs." It is believed the raids - the culmination of months of surveillance work - began shortly after 3am (AEST) on Monday. It is believed the group used juveniles as "runners" to sell imported shipments of heroin, primarily on the streets of Kings Cross on a 24-hour basis. Seven men, four women and a 16-year-old youth all faced Sydney courts yesterday charged with a series of drug matters. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D