Three men have been charged after Cybercrime Squad detectives allegedly uncovered a drug supply syndicate operating on the darknet from the Hunter region.

Strike Force Fradine was established in March 2026 by the State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad to investigate the alleged online supply of prohibited drugs through a darknet marketplace.

Police allege three men were involved in a syndicate selling prohibited drugs online to customers.

Following extensive inquiries, detectives executed search warrants at properties in Lambton and Chisholm about 9pm on Wednesday 15 July.

A 29-year-old man was arrested at Lambton and taken to Waratah Police Station.

He was charged with 10 offences, including supplying prohibited drugs, supplying drugs on an ongoing basis, participating in a criminal group and possessing a prohibited drug.

The man was refused bail and was due to appear at Bail Division Local Court 2 on Thursday 16 July.

At the same time, two 32-year-old men were arrested at Chisholm and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

One man was charged with 12 offences, including drug supply offences, supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order.

The second man was charged with 10 offences, including drug supply offences, supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, participating in a criminal group and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order.

Both men were refused bail and were also due to appear at Bail Division Local Court 2 on Thursday.

Police said darknet marketplaces were online illicit markets used to offer illegal goods and services, including prohibited drugs and weapons.

Anyone with information that may assist investigations into the supply of illicit drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through the Crime Stoppers website.