Lalor Park: Another arrest following drug lab explosion

Another arrest has been made in a long-running investigation into the importation and manufacture of illegal drugs — following a big breakthrough in August when a drug lab exploded on a quiet street in Stanhope Gardens. Bashir Sadiq, 27, of Parklea briefly appeared at Blacktown Court today.

• Sewage pipe explosion at Ashtead Pde, Stanhope Grdens uncovers drug lab
• Crime and cases from police in the Hills and nortwest Sydney

Another arrest has been made in a long-running investigation into the importation and manufacture of illegal drugs — following a big breakthrough in August when a drug lab exploded on a quiet street in Stanhope Gardens.

Strike force investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Parklea about 10am yesterday and seized several items including cash and business documents.

Bashir Sadiq, 27, was also arrested outside a business on Sackville St in Lalor Park and taken to Riverstone police station.

He appeared briefly at Blacktown Court today on several charges including four counts of possessing precursors with intent to manufacture of illicit drugs, and one count of manufacturing a commercial quantity of an illicit drug, supply of a commercial quantity of an illicit drug, knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group.

In documents tendered to the court, it is alleged Sadiq had been involved in a criminal syndicate between December 11, 2017 and the night of the explosion at Stanhope Gardens on August 30, 2018.

A 27-year-old man was arrested yesterday in Lalor Park as part of the ongoing investigation. Picture: NSW Police

It is alleged he manufactured 9.87kg of methylamphetamine (ice) at the property on August 28, 2018.

On the day of the explosion, police claim Sadiq was in possession of large amounts of pseudoephedrine (2994.6g), ephedrine (285.7g), hypophosphorous acid (13.9kg) and iodine (6.12kg), with the intent of using them to make ‘ice’, held inside the Stanhope Gardens property.

He was also charged with the alleged supply of 70.2 grams of the prohibited psychedelic drug known as 3, 4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDA).

Sadiq also allegedly dealt with $1804 in cash obtained through criminal activity shortly before his arrest on Wednesday, between 9.45am and 12.40pm on December 5, 2018.

Back in May 2017, Strike Force Footman was established after information was received that chemicals and precursors were being imported from overseas to manufacture MDMA and methylamphetamine.

Emergency crews on scene at the explosion on Ashtead Pde in Stanhope Gardens back in August.

The clandestine laboratory located at Ashtead Pde on August 30 proved to be a big breakthrough for the investigation.

The lab was dismantled and forensically processed, with investigators seizing 20kg of liquids including methylamphetamine.

During the investigation, a 38-year-old Diamond Beach man and a 32-year-old Terrigal man were arrested and charged in November. They remain before the courts.

Emergency crews at the scene of a drug lab explosion in Stanhope Gardens in August.

Following further inquiries, strike force investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Parklea about 10am yesterday.

Officers seized several items relevant to the investigation including cash and business documents.

Sadiq’s case was adjourned to be heard again at the same court on December 20, when he is expected to apply for bail. A brief is expected to be prepared for the court by January 31, 2019.