Three men, including a father and son, have been charged for their alleged roles in the suspected large-scale manufacture and supply of methamphetamine in western Sydney.
The men have each been charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 305.5(1) by virtue of section 11.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). They are expected to appear before Downing Centre Local Court today (7 May, 2025).
Their arrests bring the number of people the AFP has charged to seven, following the discovery of two clandestine laboratories, $1 million cash, 130kg of methamphetamine and 12kg of cocaine in western Sydney in October, 2024.
CCTV footage has also been released of a man the AFP believes may be able to assist with an ongoing investigation into a drug manufacturing syndicate. The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175-180cm tall, with dark hair, an average build, and tattoos on his right leg and left arm. He was seen on 23 September, 2024, at a café meeting at Macquarie Park with two men who have been charged with drug manufacturing offences as part of the AFP investigation. Members of the public who may be able to identify the man in the footage are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The investigation was launched in September, 2024, after the AFP received intelligence from Australian Border Force (ABF) following the arrival at Sydney Airport of a dual Mexican-Colombian national, 53, with suspected organised crime links.
AFP investigators, with assistance from the NSW Police Tactical Operations Unit, executed five search warrants across southwest and western Sydney on 11 October, 2024. Two clandestine laboratories were located at Werombi and a southwest Sydney property.
Investigators seized:
- A small cache of weapons, including an assault rifle, at the Werombi property;
- About $1 million cash, 12kg of cocaine, 10kg of methamphetamine and a dedicated encrypted communications device at a Greystanes property; and
- About 120kg of methamphetamine at a southwest Sydney property.
The dual national and three other people remain before the courts.
Further inquiries have led to a Werombi man, 45, a Kellyville man, 55, and a Parramatta man, 25, being charged yesterday (6 May, 2025) with:
- Pre-traffic a commercial quantity of controlled precursor, contrary to section 306.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth), by virtue of section 11.2 of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence has a maximum penalty of 25 years' imprisonment.
- Possess a substance (other than a controlled precursor), equipment or a document containing instructions for manufacturing a controlled drug, intending to use it to manufacture a controlled drug, and intending to sell, or believing that another person intended to sell, any of the drug so manufactured, contrary to section 308.4(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence has a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.
- Commit offence for benefit of organisation, contrary to section 390.5 (1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). This offence has a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.
The 45-year-old was also charged with allowing use of premises as drug premises, contrary to section 36Y of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act (NSW). This offence has a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment.
A further search warrant was executed yesterday (6 May, 2025) at the previous Werombi property with investigators seizing boxes of testosterone and a small amount of anabolic steroid.
AFP acting Commander Peter Fogarty said the charges should serve as a warning to people involved in the manufacture of illicit drugs, including methamphetamine.
"Criminal syndicates go to great lengths to conceal their activities, all in the name of greed and profit," acting Commander Fogarty said.
"Clandestine labs represent a significant risk to the community; they are highly volatile and pose significant health and safety risks to criminals, drugs users and members of the wider community who may be unlucky enough to be living near one.
"Criminals seeking to profit from the manufacture of harmful illicit drugs - be warned. The AFP is ready to act and disrupt your criminal activities and bring to justice anyone responsible for putting the Australian community at risk."
ABF Commander Kari Ellis said ABF officers were consistently on alert for any non-genuine travellers whose sole purpose is to undertake criminal activity.
"Our role extends beyond the border, with expert targeting methodologies and liaison with on and offshore partners to identify threats before they arrive in the country," Commander Ellis said.
"Working with our partner agencies to share intelligence ensures we are continuing to protect the Australian community end-to-end, stopping criminal syndicates and their activities pre, at, and post-border intervention.
"Criminal tourism is a threat global agencies target and thwart every day, with all law enforcement working hand in glove to put a stop to the practice."
