A man will face court today charged after three people were arrested over their alleged roles in a large-scale prohibited drug supply syndicate in Sydney's north west.
About 4.30am on Saturday 1 September 2018, emergency services were called to a home on Gray Street, Kogarah, following reports of a fire.
After the fire was extinguished, police located a clandestine laboratory at the property. A crime scene was established by officers from St George Police Area Command and, with the assistance of the Drug and Firearms Squad's specialist chemical operations team, the laboratory was dismantled.
The State Crime Command's Criminal Groups Squad took carriage of the investigation and, with assistance of the National Anti-Gangs Squad from Victoria and NSW, commenced inquiries under Strike Force Sonivir.
On Wednesday 13 February 2019, strike force investigators arrested a 60-year-old man at Kogarah Police Station, where he was charged with 16 offences, including take part in the manufacture of large commercial quantity of prohibited drug, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and supply prohibited drug.
He was refused bail and is next due to re-appear at Sutherland Local Court on Monday 3 June 2019.
On Tuesday 7 May 2019, a 27-year-old man was arrested at a unit in Ryde and a search warrant executed.
Strike force investigators seized prohibited drugs, $70,000 cash, two vehicles, three motorbikes, jewellery and four luxury watches.
He was taken to Ryde Police Station, where he was charged with take part in manufacture of large commercial quantity of prohibited drug, take part in supply of commercial quantity of prohibited drug, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
He was refused bail and is next due to re-appear at Burwood Local Court on Wednesday 3 July 2019.
Following further investigations, police arrested a 24-year-old woman during a vehicle stop on Samantha Riley Drive, Kellyville, about 5.15am yesterday (Tuesday 21 May 2019).
Shortly after, detectives arrested a 25-year-old man at a home in Acacia Gardens and a 20-year-old man at unit complex in Blacktown.
Strike force investigators executed search warrants at homes in Acacia Gardens, Kellyville, Blacktown, Kellyville Ridge, Glenwood and a property in Sussex Street, Sydney.
Investigators located a firearm, 676g of 'ice', 2kg of MDMA, five luxury vehicles, drug paraphernalia, and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
These items were seized to undergo forensic examination.
The men and woman were taken to Castle Hill, Riverstone and Blacktown police stations respectively.
The Acacia Gardens man was charged with direct criminal group, manufacture prohibited drugs, supply large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, supply commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
The Kellyville woman was charged with supply large commercial prohibited drugs, supply commercial quantity prohibited drugs, participate in criminal group, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and possession of tablet press.
The Blacktown man was charged with possess unregistered pistol, possess ammunition without licence/permit, not keep firearm safely, supply large commercial quantity of prohibited drug, supply commercial quantity of prohibited drug and knowingly participate in criminal group.
Police will allege in court the two men and woman were part of a syndicate that manufactured and supplied prohibited drugs, including MDMA, 'ice' and cocaine.
It will also be alleged that the 25-year-old man was involved in manufacturing drugs at the Kogarah property before a fire broke out last year.
The 20-year-old man was refused bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court today (Wednesday 22 May 2019).
The 25-year-old man and 24-year-old woman were refused bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court yesterday, where they were both formally refused bail to appear at the same court on Thursday 25 July 2019.
Criminal Groups Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace, praised the work of Strike Force Sonivir investigators.
"The Criminal Groups Squad is committed to targeting and disrupting criminal syndicates that seek to make a profit through illicit means," Det Supt Wallace said.
"The manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs is not tolerated in our community and we will take the appropriate actions to eradicate this poison from hitting our streets."
Investigations under Strike Force Sonivir continue.
Anyone with information about the supply and manufacture of prohibited drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
