Students and backpackers arrested in $200,000 drug ring bust

Police have arrested eight students and backpackers and seized one kilogram of drugs and more than $200,000 in cash after a five-month investigation into an alleged Sydney drug ring. 

Strike Force Oramzi officers arrested a 25-year-old Thai woman and seven French men, aged 24, 26, 27, 28 and 44 and two aged 23, during five searches at Haymarket, Darlinghurst and Tamarama about 7am yesterday. 

All eight people are believed to be in Australia on tourist, student or working visas.

Police also seized $235,000 in the raids.

Strike Force Oramzi was established in November last year to investigate the distribution of the illict drugs MDMA, cocaine, LSD, ketamine and cannabis.

Four of the arrested men have been charged with offences including supplying prohibited drugs, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and directing or participating in criminal activities. 

Florian Chamon, 23, Mourad Hannachi, 44, Damien Masset, 24, and Kevin Bianchi, 26 all appeared at Parramatta Local Court today, did not apply for bail and it was formally refused.

The 27-year-old was also charged with possession of a prohibited drug and granted conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on April 26.

The 28-year-old, 25-year-old and 23-year-old men were all released pending further inquiries.