Drug and Firearms Squad detectives have charged three men following a five-month investigation into the manufacture of prohibited drugs, mainly methylamphetamine, in Sydney.
In June 2022, detectives from the State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Wyembah to investigate the manufacture of prohibited drugs by a criminal group across the Sydney metropolitan area.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives – with assistance from officers attached to Burwood, Sydney City, Ryde and Leichhardt police area commands – executed four search warrants about 6am yesterday (Thursday 17 November 2022), at properties in Rozelle, Ryde, Pyrmont and Enfield.
While executing the warrant at a storage shed at Enfield, an active clandestine laboratory was located. Specialist police from the Drug and Firearms Squad's Chemical Operations Unit attended and dismantled the lab.
During all the warrants, police also located and seized 9.5kg of a crystalline substance, believed to be methylamphetamine, 3.5kg heroin, 9 litres of liquid GBL, other precursors used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs, $500,000 cash, four handguns, and three vehicles, jewellery and electronic devices.
All items seized will undergo forensic examination.
Three men – aged 35, 40 and 42 – were arrested at the Rozelle, Pyrmont, and Ryde properties.
The 40-year-old Rozelle man was taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with 13 offences, including manufacture large commercial quantity prohibited drug, supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime, possess precursor intend to use in manufacture/production, and acquire pistol subject to firearms prohibition order.
The 42-year-old Pyrmont man was also taken to Day Street Police Station and charged with 13 offences, including manufacture large commercial quantity prohibited drug, supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime, possess unauthorised pistol, and possess precursor intend to use in manufacture/production.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court today (Friday 18 November 2022).
The 35-year-old man from Ryde was taken to Ryde Police Station and charged with 14 offences, including manufacture large commercial quantity prohibited drug, supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime, possess unauthorised pistol, and possess precursor intend to use in manufacture/production.
He was refused bail to appear at Hornsby Local Court later today.
Investigations under Strike Force Wyembah are continuing.
Anyone with information about the manufacture and supply of illicit drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
