Greystanes: Michael Serretta, Christiaan De Freitas charged after police seize magic mushrooms
Police have seized almost 50kg of magic mushrooms in one of the state’s largest hauls.
NSW
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Almost 50 kilograms of magic mushrooms worth $700,000 has been seized by police in western Sydney.
The huge haul — potentially containing thousands of mushrooms — was found after detectives attached to Cumberland Police Area Command established Strike Force Bagster to investigate the suspected manufacture of illicit drugs in the Greystanes area.
As part of their investigation, police stopped a Nissan X-Trail on Pennant Hills Road, Pennant Hills, around 12am on February 3.
During the search of the car police allegedly seized psilocybin, known as magic mushrooms, cocaine, $50,000 in cash and two knives.
The 26-year-old driver, Michael Serretta, was charged and ordered to front Parramatta Local Court.
Initial inquiries after the arrest led police to a home on Merrylands Road, Greystanes later that day.
It was at this residence police allegedly found the huge stash of magic mushrooms, seizing 46.3 kilograms of the drug. It has an estimated street value of $700,000.
After discovering the clandestine laboratory police went to a Silverwater facility and arrested Mr Serretta again before charging him with manufacturing a prohibited drug in a large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug and organising a drug premises.
At court on Tuesday, Mr Serretta was not required to appear on screen from custody at Parklea Correctional Centre.
The court heard he was on bail for other matters before Magistrate Tim Keady refused bail and adjourned the matter to Fairfield Court on April 22.
On Wednesday, Christiaan De Freitas was arrested at Kellyville and charged with supplying a prohibited drug not less than a large commercial quantity at Greystanes between January 31 and February 2 and organising or assisting to conduct drug premises at the Merrylands Rd house.
The Cherrybrook man was also charged with possessing a prohibited weapon — a defensive spray — without a permit at Kellyville on Wednesday.
He was refused bail and ordered to front Parramatta Local Court on Thursday when the matter was adjourned to April 22.
Cumberland Acting Superintendent Simon Glasser told the media reports of toxic, chemical smells coming from the property led police to start investigating the “special operation’’.
“It was quite an elaborate set up,’’ he said.
“It appeared to be a very professional set up. The quantity seized is a surprise. It’s a huge quantity for a drug that’s not overly common. On record, this is one of the largest ones ever seized in NSW. In terms of Cumberland Local Area Command, this is the first in many, many years.’’
Investigations are continuing and more arrests are likely, Acting-Supt Glasser said.
“We believe there were more people involved than the male we’ve arrested.
“If you’re involved in this operation please hand yourself into police.’’
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