A group of men have been charged in connection with the “gruesome” murder of a Malaysian man who police allege was involved in a criminal syndicate when he died.
Strike Force Heighway was launched in June last year to investigate the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs, but the investigation uncovered information about the disappearance of “Jacky” Chong Kai Wong in 2020.
Txjmtzywhe 24-year-old Malaysian man had been living in Sydney since 2016 and last spoke to his family overseas on December 28, 2020.
Police say his family believed he may have been working in regional NSW before his disappearance.
The search for Mr Wong has so far been unsuccessful, with police issuing a public appeal to find him just a week ago.
However, since Strike Force Heighway’s discovery, officers began searching for the 24-year-old’s remains at a rural property at Killongbutta, 40km northwest of Bathurst in the NSW Central West, on Tuesday.
The search resumed on Wednesday and is expected to continue through the week.
Three men have also been charged in connection with Mr Wong’s death between December 25, 2020, and January 8, 2021.
Strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a home in the Sydney suburb of Berala last Friday and seized cash, electronic devices and documentation.
A 33-year-old man was arrested and charged with murder, conceal serious indictable offence (more than 20 years maximum) of other, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal, dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, and cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity).
He appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday and was formally refused bail to reappear at Bathurst Local Court in May.
Police were then led to homes in the Sydney suburbs of Marsfield and Auburn where two men, aged 22 and 28, were arrested.
The 22-year-old Auburn man was charged with murder, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, cultivate prohibited plant – commercial quantity, cultivate cannabis – indictable quantity, and supply prohibited drug.
The 28-year-old man was charged with conceal serious indictable offence (more than 20 years maximum) of other, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, cultivate prohibited plant – commercial quantity, cultivate cannabis – indictable quantity, supply prohibited drug, and possess prohibited drug.
Police will allege in court the men were involved in the murder of the Malaysian national.
The 22-year-old and 28-year-old were refused bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday.
NSW Police drug and firearms squad commander, Detective Superintendent John Watson, said Mr Wong‘s death appeared to have been “particularly gruesome”.
Superintendent Watson said police believe Mr Wong was involved with an organised criminal syndicate when he was “violently murdered”.
“We know Jacky was working for a criminal enterprise involved in the cultivation of cannabis in regional NSW around the time of his alleged murder,” Mr Watson said.
“The circumstances of his death are particularly gruesome, and officers remain at the Killongbutta property today in search of his body and to locate any further forensic evidence.
“These criminal groups are known for targeting young individuals with the promise of easy money, which often leads to them working in illegal grow houses on remote properties.
“This is a sad reminder of the reality of these operations: They are run by dangerous criminals who care only about a quick profit and have no dignity or regard for human life.”
