Pro surfer and alleged ‘high ranking member’ of the infamous Bra Boys is accused of sending $12.6 million worth of meth to Australia
- Evan Faulks, 38, was arrested by police on the Gold Coast on Tuesday
- The arrest follows an investigation into a $12.6 million drug ring
An Australian professional surfer has been arrested for allegedly organizing the importation of meth and coke from America into the country.
Evan Faulks, 38, was arrested on Tuesday during a car stop on the Gold Coast and is charged with running a $12.6 million drug ring, while his partner Ariane Rose Munch, 37, was later arrested at a nearby home and is also being charged sued.
The couple’s arrest follows an 18-month investigation into drug importation into NSW by local authorities following a tip from the US Drug Enforcement Agency.
Police allege Faulks organized the ring as a “high ranking member” of the notorious Sydney surfing gang the “Bra Boys,” while Munch is accused of being an “associate” of the group. The Tweed Daily News reported.
“He has been and continues to direct members of the organization in their criminal actions, including organizing the importation of banned drugs and the distribution of banned drugs in Sydney,” police documents said.
The pair are currently being extradited to NSW.
Police arrested Faulks during a car stop on Tuesday, while his partner Munch was later arrested at a nearby Gold Coast home
Faulks is a well-known big wave surfer who has appeared in a Red Bull surfing documentary
In September 2021, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad, assisted by the Australian Border Force, began Strike Force Madline.
The investigation was launched after the DEA and US Customs reportedly discovered two ‘shipments’ of drugs – meth hidden in machines and cocaine in a stone countertop – totaling 6 kg.
Police will allege in court that Faulks helped facilitate the attempted importation of both shipments.
He also faces charges of laundering the proceeds of crime, some $840,000, through an online gambling account between 2014 and 2017 to avoid detection by law enforcement.
Drugs were reportedly discovered hidden in machinery and a stone worktop by the DEA in the US en route to Australia, prompting NSW police to launch an investigation
Faulks has been charged with two counts of attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, and one charge each of knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, knowingly handling proceeds of crime and the intent to conceal, and dealing with property proceeds from crime.
Munch was charged with participating in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity, obtaining financial benefit through deception, handling property proceeds of crime, intentionally making false statements for material benefit, and knowingly handling proceeds of crime that are meant to hide.
She is accused of defrauding the Commonwealth of over $567,910.26 in unreported income.
Munch will appear before Parramatta local court on May 26.
Faulks will appear in Downing Center local court on April 5.