Further charges laid after drug lab dismantled, NSW

Police have laid further charges against a man, following investigations after an alleged clandestine drug laboratory was dismantled in Cardiff last year, NSW Police say.

Strike Force Rupas, comprising of detectives from Newcastle City, Central Hunter and Lake Macquarie, was formed last year to investigate the supply of illicit drugs.

On Friday 11 September 2015, officers from Strike Force Rupas executed a search warrant at home in Cardiff where they allegedly located several firearms and a clandestine drug laboratory.

The firearms and a number of items were seized for forensic examinations.

A 49-year-old Cardiff man was arrested and charged with a number firearm offence at the time.

today, following investigations, the 49-year-old man was charged at Muswellbrook Police Station with further offences of manufacture prohibited drugs, and possess apparatus for the manufacture of drugs (x3).

He was refused bail, and is due to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Monday 2 May 2016.

The total number of persons to date charged by officers from Strike Force Rupas is 45, with an excess of 300 drug charges laid.