Pro surfer and alleged ‘high-ranking member’ of infamous Bra Boys accused of sending $12.6 million in methamphetamine to Australia
- Police arrested Evan Foulkes, 38, on the Gold Coast on Tuesday
- The arrest follows an investigation into a $12.6 million drug ring
A professional Australian surfer has been arrested for allegedly organizing the import of methamphetamine and coke into the country from America.
Evan Foulkes, 38, was arrested while stopping a car on the Gold Coast on Tuesday and charged with running a $12.6 million drug ring while his partner Ariane Rose Munch, 37, was later arrested at a nearby home and also charged.
The couple’s arrest follows an 18-month investigation into the importation of drugs into New South Wales by local authorities following a tip-off from the US Drug Enforcement Agency.
Police allege Foulkes organized the episode as a “high-ranking member” of Sydney’s notorious Bra Boys surfing gang, while Munch has been charged with being an “accomplice” in the group, Tweed Daily News mentioned.
Police documents alleged that he “was and continues to direct members of the organization in their criminal activities, including organizing the importation of illegal drugs and the distribution of illegal drugs in Sydney”.
The couple are in the process of being extradited to New South Wales.
Police arrested Foulkes during a car stop on Tuesday, while his partner Munch was later arrested at a nearby home on the Gold Coast.
Foulkes is a famous surfer who appeared in a surfing documentary for Red Bull
In September 2021, investigators linked to the Government Crime Command’s Narcotics and Firearms Squad, assisted by the Australian Border Force, begin Strike Force Madline.
The investigation began after the US Customs and Drug Enforcement Administration discovered two “shipments” of the drug – methamphetamine hidden in the machines and cocaine in a stone counter – totaling 6kg.
Police will allege in court that Foulkes helped facilitate the attempted import of the two shipments.
He is also accused of laundering the proceeds of crime, approximately $840,000, through an online betting account between 2014 and 2017 to avoid detection by law enforcement.
The drugs were discovered hidden inside machinery and a stone counter by the US Drug Enforcement Administration en route to Australia, prompting a New South Wales police investigation.
Foulkes was charged with two counts of attempting to import a commercial quantity of a controlled drug across borders, and one count of willfully directing the activities of a criminal group, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and with intent to conceal and deal with the proceeds of property. of crime.
Munch was charged with participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity, obtaining a financial advantage by deception, dealing with the proceeds of crime property, knowingly falsely declaring for a material benefit, and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime with the intent of concealment.
She is also accused of defrauding the Commonwealth of undisclosed income of $567,910.26.
Munch is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on May 26.
Foulkes was set to appear at Downing Center Local Court on 5 April.