Drug & Firearm Squad detectives have charged three men following the discovery of a clandestine lab in Sydney's north west under Strike Force Coorabel.
Strike Force Coorabel was established by State Crime Command's Drug & Firearms Squad to investigate the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs by a criminal syndicate hailing from Asia.
About 6.55am yesterday (Thursday 5 June 2025), strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a home in Tallawong, where they allegedly located a clandestine lab.
Detectives allegedly seized about 2kg of MDMA with an estimated street value of $150,000 and a large amount of precursor chemicals and equipment used in the manufacture of drugs.
Specialist police from the Drug and Firearms Squad's Chemical Operations Unit, the Technical Forensic Support Unit and NSW Fire & Rescue were called in to dismantle it.
Officers then executed a search warrant in Lidcombe, where they arrested three men – aged 22, 29 and 40.
During a search of the Lidcombe unit, police allegedly located and seized numerous mobile phones, 720g of ketamine with an estimated street value of $100,000, and other small quantities of drugs.
The men were taken to Burwood Police Station, where the 40-year-old man was charged with following offences:
- Participate criminal group contribute criminal activity
- Organises/conducts/assists drug premises
- Found on/entering/leaving drug premises
- Organises/conducts/assists drug premises, and
- Supply prohibited drug more than indictable and less than commercial quantity (two counts).
The 29-year-old man was charged with following offences:
- Manufacture prohibited drug more than indictable quantity
- Organises/conducts/assists drug premises
- Take parts supply prohibited drug more than indictable and less than commercial quantity
- Found on/entering/leaving drug premises, and
- Supply prohibited drug more than indictable and less than commercial quantity (two counts).
The 22-year-old man was charged with following offences:
- Manufacture prohibited drug more than indictable quantity
- Supply prohibited drug more than indictable and less than commercial quantity
- Organises/conducts/assists drug premises (two counts)
- Found on/entering/leaving drug premises
- Hinder or resist police office in the execution of duty
- Supply prohibited drug more than indictable and less than commercial quantity (two counts), and
- Supply prohibited drug more than or equal to large commercial quantity.
They were refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court today (Friday 6 June 2025).
Following further inquiries, a third location was identified in Ashfield and a search warrant was executed about 8.30pm last night (Thursday 5 June 2025).
Drug & Firearm Squad detectives remain on scene as inquiries continue.
