Police nab syndicate ringleader in ice bust

Police believe they have caught the ringleader of a large drug importation syndicate after two people were arrested yesterday en route to Sydney Airport and charged with drug offences.

Officers from the Asian Crime Squad, working with Australian Federal Police, the Crime Commission and Customs set up an operation in April to bust a drug ring they allege was trafficking heroin and ice between Australia and overseas.

Authorities swooped yesterday, arresting a 38-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman on their way to Sydney airport.

A search of their car uncovered more than one kilogram of the illicit drug ice and a sum of cash, while police say the woman had packages of ice strapped to her body.

Police also executed a search warrant on a unit in Haymarket, finding a sawn-off shotgun, a quantity of ice and $10,000 in cash.

A coordinated raid in Western Australia uncovered more ice and a stun gun.

The woman was charged with the supply of a commercial quantity of drugs and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Police believe the man, who is from Western Australia, is a main figure in the alleged syndicate.

He was charged with supply and possession of the drug, as well as gun offences.

They will appear in court today.