Strike Force Garlow: Anthony William Anderson and Warren Paul Ryan face court over 10kg of `ice’

The case against two men charged after police seized 10kg of methylamphetamine and dismantled a large-scale clandestine drug lab on the Central Coast is “complex”, a court has heard.

Two men charged with multiple offences after police seized 10kg of `ice’, 20kg of precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs, $220,000 cash, a taser and a ballistics vest were not required to appear in court when their matters were briefly mentioned.

Warren Paul Ryan, 48, of Catherine Hill Bay, and Anthony William Anderson, 35, of Kariong, did not appear via video link at Wyong Local Court on Tuesday where their lawyers sent emails seeking a lengthy adjournment.

The police prosecutor told the court it was a “complex matter” and there were a number of items still outstanding from the brief of evidence including DNA results and “expert material”.

Earlier this year, Organised Crime Squad detectives established Strike Force Garlow to investigate an alleged criminal syndicate involved in the supply and manufacture of prohibited drugs across NSW.

Following extensive investigations, strike force detectives attempted to stop a black Toyota Kluger on Burns Rd, Ourimbah, shortly after 5pm on September 7.

Police will allege in court the Kluger rammed two police vehicles, heavily damaging one and causing minor injuries to a male Senior Constable, before the two occupants fled on foot.

Police dismantled the clandestine lab at Kulnura. Picture: NSW Police

Detectives, assisted by local police and the Dog Squad, arrested Mr Ryan and Mr Anderson nearby a short time later, before they were taken to Wyong Police Station.

A search was conducted at an Ourimbah home, where police allegedly seized drug paraphernalia, $220,000 cash, an electronic stun device, and a ballistic vest.

As part of ongoing inquiries, a crime scene warrant was subsequently obtained to search a rural property at Kulnura about 9pm that night.

During a search of a shed on the property, officers allegedly seized more than 10kg of methylamphetamine, a large quantity of methylamphetamine oil, more than 20kg of precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs, and equipment consistent with the large-scale manufacture of prohibited drugs.

The lab had lots of equipment.

And precursor chemicals. Pictures: NSW Police

Detectives were assisted throughout the search warrant by Fire & Rescue NSW hazmat, who rendered the lab safe before handing it to officers attached to State Crime Command’s Chemical Operations Team.

Mr Ryan was charged with manufacturing and supplying a large commercial quantity of methylamphetamine not less than 10kg between July and September.

He was also charged with using the vehicle as an offensive weapon to prevent apprehension, failing to stop during a police pursuit and failing to comply with Covid travel restrictions.

Mr Anderson was also charged with manufacturing and supplying 10kg of `ice’, knowingly deal with $40,000 in cash being the proceeds of crime and two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon being the taser and ballistics vest.

He was also charged with breaching Covid restrictions.

The pair were adjourned to January 18.

Four other men remain before the courts after vehicle stops and searches a St Marys in Sydney’s west, Hay in western NSW and Kogerah in the past five months in which police allegedly uncovered 17kg of cocaine, 8kg of ice and money laundering of more than $5.5 million in cash.