Two men have been charged by Organised Crime Squad detectives after they dismantled a clandestine laboratory and seized more than $6 million of prohibited drugs including heroin, methylamphetamine and cocaine in Sydney's south-west.
Detectives from the State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad established Strike Force Cripe to investigate a criminal syndicate involved in the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs across NSW.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives executed a search warrant at a property in Belmore about 8.40am last Wednesday (10 August 2022), subsequently locating a clandestine laboratory within the premises.
A crime scene was established, and the lab subsequently examined and dismantled with the assistance of the Drug and Firearms Squad's Chemical Operations Team over the following days.
Prohibited drugs – including more than 5kg of methamphetamine, 1.8kg of heroin, 70g of cocaine, and 1.5 litres of methamphetamine oil – as well as items consistent with the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs were seized for further forensic examination.
About the same time, a 39-year-old man was arrested with the assistance of Raptor Squad officers during a related search warrant at a home in Campsie.
He was taken to Campsie Police Station and charged with manufacture prohibited drug more than commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug more than commercial quantity, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime more than $5,000, and supply prohibited drug more than indictable amount.
He appeared at Bankstown Local Court the following day, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Thursday 13 October 2022.
As part of ongoing investigations, detectives from Coffs-Clarence Police District stopped a Honda CRV travelling north on the Pacific Highway near Urunga about midday on Saturday (13 August 2022).
During a subsequent search of the car, police allegedly located and seized 45kg of cannabis which was concealed within duffle bags.
The driver – a 30-year-old Warwick Farm man – was arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station.
A further 2.5kg of cannabis and $4,500 cash was located during a search warrant of the man's property at Warwick Farm later that day.
He's since been charged with supply prohibited drug more than commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug more than indictable amount, and an outstanding warrant.
He appeared at Port Macquarie Bail Court the following day, where he was formally refused bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court today (Tuesday 16 August 2022).
Investigations under Strike Force Cripe continue.
Anyone with information about the manufacture or 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. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
