Two men have been arrested and more than 250kg of precursors seized following an investigation into the importation, manufacture, and supply of prohibited drugs on the Central Coast and Sydney’s west, NSW Police say.
In May 2017, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad, with the assistance of the Australian Border Force, established Strike Force Footman after receiving information that chemicals and precursors were being imported from overseas to manufacture MDMA and methylamphetamine.
As part of the investigation, a clandestine laboratory was located at Ashtead Parade, Stanhope Gardens, following an explosion on Thursday 30 August 2018.
The lab was dismantled and forensically processed, with investigators seizing 20kg of liquids, including methylamphetamine.
Following further inquiries, a 38-year-old man was arrested at a caravan park at Diamond Beach and a search warrant was executed about 10am on Tuesday (6 November 2018).
Detectives seized several items, including pill press dyes, documentation relating to the manufacture of prohibited drugs, electronic devices, and steroids.
The man was taken to Forster Police Station where he was charged with 15 drug offences, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, stalk/intimidate intend fear physical harm (domestic), use carriage service to menace/harass/offend, and breach of bail.
He was refused bail and appeared at Forster Local Court yesterday (Wednesday 7 November 2018) where he was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 16 January 2019.
About 6.30am today (Thursday 8 November 2018), a 32-year-old man was arrested at a unit complex in Terrigal and taken to Gosford Police Station.
Shortly after the arrest, strike force detectives executed three search warrants at properties in Terrigal and Killcare, and a storage facility in West Gosford.
Searches at the locations are continuing, with investigators already locating more than 250kg of precursors and pill press parts.
Investigations under Strike Force Footman continue.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Footman investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
