The AFP has dismantled a clandestine laboratory in Sydney's west and seized over 100kg of methamphetamine products as part of an ongoing investigation into a criminal syndicate.
The investigation began in October 2023 after the US Customs and Border Protection agency detected 27kg of methamphetamine destined for Australia concealed in blankets from South America, and passed intelligence and evidence to the AFP.
Police will allege the blankets were saturated with the methamphetamine and had an estimated Australian street value of $25 million.
Initial enquiries conducted by the AFP linked the consignment to a phone number, which was allegedly linked to additional importation attempts previously thwarted by Australian Border Force.
In April 2024, AFP investigators executed a search warrant at a property linked to the US consignment in Cabramatta. Two devices were located by police and linked to the attempted import.
A simultaneous search warrant was executed at a Canley Vale property, where police located a dedicated encrypted communication device, which was seized and subject to forensic examination.
Further enquiries by police later identified a third address in Fairfield East allegedly utilised by the syndicate.
On 19 June, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at the Fairfield East home and discovered a clandestine laboratory.
The laboratory was dismantled with the assistance of the NSW Police Force Drug & Firearms Squad Chemical Operations team.
Investigators then searched the house and located items including:
77kg of drug-impregnated materials
39kg of pre-manufactured methamphetamine
35kg of liquid allegedly containing methamphetamine
More than 600 litres of extraction solvent (waste material)
Electronic devices, which will be subject to further examination.
Enquiries into the syndicate remain ongoing.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said criminal groups have complete disregard for the Australian community and are only motivated by greed and profit.
"The people behind importations like this have no regard for the harm and damage that illicit drugs wreak on the Australian community every minute of every day," Det Supt Blunden said.
"I want to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of all the AFP members involved in these investigations, from investigators and intelligence members to all of our other support capabilities.
"I also wish to thank our counterparts at NSW Police, in particular the Drug & Firearms Squad Chemical Operations team for their specialist and expert assistance in this matter."
