Updated ,first published
The police watchdog has confirmed an investigation into senior officers over alleged connections to a Sydney brothel owner and accused drug runner – with a secret prison visit forming part of the probe.
The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission on Wednesday released a statement saying they had executed search warrants against three “senior police officers” last Wednesday evening.
“The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (the Commission) is conducting an investigation, which has included the execution of three search warrants on senior police officers on the evening of Wednesday 21 January 2026,” a statement from the commission reads.
“As a result, a number of electronic devices were seized. Commission powers were also exercised to seize devices from a fourth officer.”
The statement confirms reporting from the Herald last March that police were being probed over the potential connections with professional gambler Eddie Hayson.
At least two senior officers were allegedly filmed a decade ago in Camperdown brothel Stiletto and provided with free services, sources say.
At the time, Stiletto was owned by high-profile gambler Eddie Hayson, 57, who is now awaiting trial over the supply of large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs.
Multiple sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said part of the investigation centred around a visit to Hayson in prison by two senior officers after he was arrested on the Gold Coast in February 2024. While the visit’s purpose remains unclear, the sources suggested Hayson was being explored as a provider of information to police.
There is no suggestion Hayson has any connection to or knowledge of the LECC raids. There is no suggestion the claims against the officers are true.
The allegations are thorny problem for NSW Police, who rely on the senior officers for critical operations, trust them with the most sensitive access and cannot stand them down without identifying them.
Sources within NSW Police on Wednesday said the officers will not be stood down pending the outcome of the LECC investigation.
NSW Premier Chris Minns was this week asked whether the officers should be stood down while the investigation runs its course.
“I’ll let that be a decision guided by both the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and NSW Police,” Minns said on Monday.
“But I wouldn’t automatically say that, and the reason for that is because there’s an important element here associated with an investigation taking place and due process taking place.”
Minns urged LECC, which is independent of the government and police, to conduct the probe as quickly as possible.
“It’s important that that investigation take place as quickly as possible. Obviously, NSW Police have got a big job in front of them,” Minns said.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
From our partners
Read the full article here
