A man has been arrested interstate and will be extradited to Adelaide to face charges as a result of a joint investigation by the South Australia Police's (SAPOL) Serious and Organised Crime Branch and the New South Wales Police Force's (NSWPF) Organised Crime Squad.
On Saturday (19 January), NSWPF officers arrested South Australian man Nicholas Wardle in Sydney who was wanted in connection to a drug laboratory located in Croydon, in October 2018. This is one of the largest methamphetamine laboratories ever discovered in South Australia.
On Sunday the 38-year-old man, formerly of Kilkenny, appeared in the Parramatta Bail Court. He was ordered to be extradited to South Australia to face the charge of manufacturing a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug. He was remanded in custody to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday (23 January).
Members of SAPOL's Serious and Organised Crime Branch will travel to Sydney to complete the extradition.
"SAPOL and NSWPF working collaboratively has resulted in a significant arrest regarding an industrial-sized methamphetamine laboratory located at Croydon in October 2018," said Detective Chief Inspector Tony Crameri of the Serious and Organised Crime Branch.
"All policing agencies are working together to reduce the supply of illicit substances such as methamphetamine - which is also known as Ice - that are associated with causing serious harm to the community."
"Clandestine drug laboratories pose significant risk to the community and contain corrosive, flammable and toxic chemicals that are often associated with fires and explosions.
"People who seek to produce illicit drugs can face penalties up to a $500,000 fine, life imprisonment and can also have assets such as houses and cars seized."
Members of the public who have information about drug trafficking or manufacture are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000 or report online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au
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