<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police say they have all but dismantled the Coconut Cartel, following the arrest of its alleged on-shore leader and a series of raids across Sydney, including a major drug bust earlier this year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police revealed that in a major drug bust at an Emu Plains warehouse in April they seized more than 400 kilograms of methamphetamine.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The coordinated search warrants continued yesterday morning across Quakers Hill, Edensor Park and Blacktown, resulting in nine arrests.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/so-called-isis-bride-arrested-and-charged-with-terrorism-offences/3f777b7e-ef3a-4c1a-bd85-996697d30d0c" target="_blank"><strong><span>ISIS bride charged with terrorism offences after arriving in Australia</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"For a long time, we've been playing catch-up. For the first time, we think we're on par," Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Among the arrests was 27-year-old Henry Kupa, an alleged senior leader within the Coconut Cartel, who was allegedly linked to the Emu Plains warehouse raid.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Yesterday, police arrested "middlemen" accused of distributing drugs for the gang.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/coconut-cartel-police-cripple-violent-sydney-gang-with-string-of-raids/b3b6e9ff-53e3-4537-a869-9f1fa6cc5dc1" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A prison officer who was allegedly helping the gang locate their targets was also arrested and remains before the courts.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This month alone, detectives have locked up a dozen alleged foot soldiers, mostly contract criminals, including teenage boys and women.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This investigation has reaffirmed the role that organised crime figures who are offshore play and in terms of directing the violence in NSW," Cook said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-man-seemingly-asleep-driving-motorway-tesla/25d4d935-f8da-4184-904c-6550b00f30bd" target="_blank"><strong><span>Man seemingly caught asleep while driving Tesla on major Sydney motorway</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The investigation has uncovered trusted insiders.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"[They] do not know who's asking, do not know what it's for, however, they continue to commit offences in terms of supporting the organised crime network."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Three of the men, 27-year-old Isoa Moi Moi, 25-year-old Sione Tupou and 29-year-old Eric Hemma, faced Blacktown Local Court earlier today on charges including drug supply and participating in a criminal group.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Authorities allege the organised crime network is behind a spate of shootings, kidnappings, and attempted murders over the past 18 months in a violent feud against the Alameddine crime network.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Coconut Cartel includes former members of the Mount Druitt street gang KVT who were once muscle for the Alameddines before a bitter falling out.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/two-arrested-over-ho-chi-minh-city-assassination-of-australian-gang-figure/007c84a6-663c-4513-bb87-86035e2a1d11" rel="" target="" title="Lorenzo Lemalu was previously at the top of the Coconut Cartel's hierarchy before he was assassinated in Vietnam"><span>Lorenzo Lemalu was previously at the top of the Coconut Cartel's hierarchy before he was assassinated in Vietnam</span></a><span> last week, leaving wanted fugitive Anthony Pele as the most senior figure of the gang.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Pele is based in South-East Asia, sending orders to alleged onshore leader Henry Cupa, who police arrested last month in relation to the drugs found at Emu Plains.</span></div></div>