State and federal police have swooped on more than 20 properties, seized five handguns and over $2 million in cash in a record-breaking bust targeting an alleged drug ring which included the Rebels bikie gang and an Asian organised crime group.

Up to 250 officers from NSW Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) stormed the web of properties across south-western and north-western Sydney and the ACT around 7am today after seizing 1.4 tonnes of ephedrine.

The haul of ephedrine, used to make the drug “ice”, is worth approximately $650 million.

It is the largest ephedrine seizure on record and the biggest seizure of precursor chemicals at the Australian border.

“This is a significant disruption to the supply of a heinous drug that destroys lives right across the state,” NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said.

Executing 28 simultaneous search warrants, officers seized five handguns, six kilograms of ice, ten kilograms of ephedrine and the hoard of cash as well as locating and dismantling a clandestine laboratory at a Georges Hall address.

Twelve men, aged between 23 and 44, were arrested and taken into custody where they will be charged over their alleged roles in the major drug supply network.

“With such a large operation involved, it was really the art of surprise that was our success. The ability for us to seize 1.4 tonnes, which has a street value of $650 million dollars, is staggering in terms of the harm it caused,” Commissioner Fuller said.

Inquiries revealed plans for large-scale importation of border controlled drugs. (NSW Police)

The raids were a culmination of a multi-agency operation into the drug ring that began in December last year.

“We first became aware of the group when a person associated with the group approached us with an alleged extortion,” Detective Superintendent Deb Wallace from the Detective State Crime Gang Squad said.

Uncovering a huge drug supply network, which included the Rebels bike group and other criminal groups, further inquiries revealed plans for large-scale importation of border-controlled drugs.

On Saturday, officers intercepted and seized a shipping container at Port Botany containing the 1.4 tonnes of ephedrine in buckets labelled as sea salt.

“This particular group were involved in the importation, production and supply.

Police seized a shipping container containing one tonne of ephredine. (NSW Police) (NSW Police)

Police stormed more than 20 properties across Sydney and in the ACT, making numerous arrests. (NSW Police) (NSW Police)

"We have to look at the border not just in terms of our physical border, but also overseas.

"We are working with partners in China, across the Pacific and into the United States,” acting ABF commissioner Michael Outram said.

He said the seizure meant that 13 million individual hits of ice would now be destroyed.

“The 1.4 tonnes of ephedrine was seized before it crossed our border, before it could be used to make 1.3 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine and before it could make its way into the community,” he said.

“This operation is testament to what can be achieved when authorities join forces and work together to achieve a common goal.”

Ephredine is used to make the drug 'ice'. (NSW Police) (NSW Police)

Acting AFP Commissioner Neil Gaughan said the global criminal environment today is complex, borderless and fluid.

“With advancements in technology and the increasingly borderless nature of crime, it is becoming more important than ever to work closely with our domestic and international partners to combat the common threats in our communities in the smartest and most efficient ways,” Acting Commissioner Gaughan said.

“In the past six months alone, Australian law enforcement agencies have set new records for the seizures of cocaine, ice, and today, ephedrine.

“Our message to these criminals is clear – we will continue to go as hard as we can to shut down their evil trades.”

Commissioner Fuller said the investigation is ongoing.