Christiaan De Freitas jailed for producing magic mushrooms at Greystanes
A man who helped a ‘small dude’ convert a western Sydney house into a clandestine lab producing a haul of magic mushrooms has learnt his fate two years after he was busted.
Parramatta
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A man who rented out a Greystanes house with his mate to use as a manufacturing lab has learnt his punishment two years after cops busted him for taking part in an alleged magic mushroom syndicate.
Christiaan De Freitas was arrested at Kellyville on February 24, 2021, a month after police started investigating the suspected manufacturing of illicit drugs at the house on Merrylands Rd.
De Freitas and his mate Michael Serretta – the operation’s alleged kingpin – lived in a Cherrybrook house that De Freitas’ parents owned.
The Greystanes home was a different kind of property – one brimming with multiple containers of psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, in every room.
Mr Serretta has been charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, organises/conducts/assists drug premises and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
He is yet to enter pleas and remains before the courts.
During a search of the Greystanes home on February 3, police allegedly uncovered 47.44kg of the prohibited drug sealed in 61 plastic tubs or boxes. When dried, the mushrooms weighed 4.74kg.
They were so neatly arranged cops described it as hygienic and well organised.
Police facts tendered to Parramatta District Court allege every space in the house was used for manufacturing the drug.
Several chemicals were scattered throughout the house, multiple gas bottles were in the lounge room and gas burners were packed inside boxes.
During the search, officers found De Freitas’ DNA on gloves and a respirator.
Facts tendered to the court allege Mr Serretta confirmed De Freitas “just helps out occasionally – he is not involved”.
“Well it’s just sometimes I need help in moving heavy things, like I’m a small dude.’’
Later that month, De Freitas was arrested approaching his car at Kellyville when investigators found $1920 cash in his wallet which he claimed in a police interview was money he made as a security guard the previous year. They also found defensive spray.
During a search of his new home at Kellyville, police uncovered a drug ledger containing items needed for manufacturing drugs including wheelbarrows, humidifiers, gas bottles and a thermostat.
De Freitas pleaded guilty via video link at Parramatta Local Court on Monday to taking part in the manufacturing of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, dealing with the proceeds of crime and possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit.
A charge of organises/conducts/assists drug was dismissed.
De Freitas was convicted and sentenced to four years jail with a non-parole period of two years.
Given time served, he could be eligible for release on February 23.
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