Three raids allegedly yield synthetic cannabis, drugs and cash

POLICE raided three premises on Thursday and allegedly seized what they believe is synthetic cannabis, as well as cannabis, LSD and nearly $750,000 in cash

POLICE raided premises at Manly, Brookvale and Dee Why on Thursday morning and allegedly seized about 2kg of what they believe is synthetic cannabis, as well as genuine cannabis and what they believe is the drug LSD.

The also allegedly seized nearly $750,000 in cash, believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Cash allegedly seized during three search warrants executed by detectives at Manly, Brookvale and Dee Why

The raids follow an investigation by detectives into the hospitalisation of five men late last year after they allegedly smoked synthetic cannabis.

On November 29, three men were hospitalised after losing consciousness, including one man who was found convulsing on Whistler St.

After regaining consciousness the man said he had taken a drug but would not divulge what type, although police suspected it was synthetic cannabis.

Another man collapsed at a house at Freshwater later that day after using the same drug, according to police.

Later still, at 8.20pm, police and paramedics were called to an apartment in Manly, where a man was found unconscious.

On December 1, two men were found slumped on a seat near the Whistler St carpark after smoking the dangerous, straw-like material and were taken to Manly Hospital for treatment.

Northern Beaches Police crime manager Inspector Craig Wonders said premises in Whistler St at Manly, a storage unit in Winbourne Rd at Brookvale and a home in Delmar Pde at Dee Why were raided on Thursday morning and cannabis, cannabis seeds and what police believe are synthetic cannabis and LSD were seized, along with nearly $750,000 believed to be the proceeds of crime.

The synthetic cannabis called Kronic. Stock photo

All of the substances have been sent for forensic analysis.

“We’ll wait to see the result of the tests before laying any charges,” he said.

“We would remind anyone considering synthetic drugs that these substances are often made in makeshift labs and contain a concoction of unknown chemicals that can lead to severe medical reactions or even death.”

Anyone with information about the supply of drugs on the northern beaches is urged to call Dee Why police station on 9971 3369 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.