Five men have been charged after Drug and Firearms Squad detectives seized an automatic assault rifle and uncovered a large-scale clandestine laboratory manufacturing 'ice' in Sydney's Inner West early this morning.
In February 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Bardoo to investigate an alleged criminal syndicate involved in the large-scale manufacture and supply of methylamphetamine.
Following investigations, Strike Force Bardoo detectives arrested a 23-year-old Queensland man following a vehicle stop on Carter Street, Lidcombe, about 10pm yesterday (Thursday 4 April 2019).
He was allegedly found in possession of $66,000 cash.
A further four men – a 26-year-old Victorian man, a 28-year-old Lidcombe man, a 39-year-old Zetland man and a 47-year-old Carlingford man – were arrested as they attempted to flee a unit on Hilts Road, Strathfield, just after midnight (Friday 5 April 2019).
The men were all taken to Auburn Police Station.
Detectives subsequently executed a crime scene warrant at the Strathfield unit, with the assistance of officers attached to Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squad.
On entering the unit, detectives located a large-scale clandestine laboratory, which was in the process of manufacturing 'ice' and seized about 5kg of 'ice' with an estimated potential street value of between $750,000 and $2.5 million.
About 1am, a search warrant was executed at a unit on Carter Street, Lidcombe.
During the search, officers seized a M4 carbine assault rifle, a 9mm pistol, 200 rounds of ammunition, $11,000 cash, drug paraphernalia and methylamphetamine.
The Lidcombe man was charged with manufacture prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), knowingly deal with proceeds of crime (x2), participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and possess unauthorised prohibited firearm (x2).
The Victorian man was charged with an outstanding warrant, manufacture prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
It will be alleged in court he was wanted by police after a rental van hired in his name was repossessed in June 2018 and found with nearly 10kg of methylamphetamine, 160 litres of hydrochloric acid, 60 litres of methanol and 60 litres of acetone.
The Queensland, Carlingford and Zetland men were all charged with manufacture prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
Police will allege the men were all involved in the large-scale commercial manufacture and supply of methylamphetamine.
They were all refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court today.
Investigations into the importation, manufacture, and supply of methylamphetamine are ongoing.
Anyone with information in relation to the importation and supply of prohibited drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
