Penrith alleged drug labs: Werrington, Rydalmere, Ultimo units raided
A trio has faced court after allegedly operating three suburban meth labs. Cops swooped on the trio on Monday following a six-month investigation.
Penrith
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Three people will face court on Tuesday after cops uncovered three alleged clandestine drug labs.
Following a six-month investigation, officers swooped on Monday and arrested a 23-year-old woman during a vehicle stop at the intersection of Gipps and Fowler streets, Claremont Meadows, just before 10.30am.
Shortly after, officers arrested a 29-year-old Ultimo man during a second vehicle stop at Green Rd, Kellyville, and a 31-year-old man outside a unit at Croydon Park Rd, Croydon Park.
About 2pm, Penrith Region Enforcement Squad (RES) detectives raided three properties: a unit at Ultimo, a home at Werrington, and a storage unit at Rydalmere.
During the searches, officers uncovered two alleged clandestine laboratories at the Ultimo unit and Werrington home, and an inactive clandestine laboratory at Rydalmere.
The properties were examined, and the alleged clandestine laboratories are being dismantled by specialist officers from the Drug and Firearms Squad’s Chemical Operations Team.
It is alleged several chemicals and items consistent with the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs were seized.
The 23-year-old woman was taken to Penrith Police Station and charged with two counts of manufacture large commercial quantity (expose child), and participating in a criminal group (contributing to criminal activity).
The Werrington woman, Saba Rostami, faced Mt Druitt Local Court on Tuesday. She did not apply for bail and it was formally refused by Magistrate James Gibson.
She will face Mt Druitt Local Court again on July 2.
The Ultimo man, Vahid Saeidi, was charged with two counts of manufacture large commercial quantity (expose child), two counts of import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and contravene prohibition/restriction AVO (domestic).
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday but the matter was adjourned to Wednesday so a Farsi interpreter could be organised.
Saeidi, 29, appeared via video link at Parramatta Local Court where his lawyer Mohammad Al-Shadidi applied for bail and told the court the evidence failed to prove Saeidi had a specific commercial quantity of drugs.
“This is a false charge ... it’s weak,’’ Mr Al-Shadidi said.
“This is my submission.’’
But the police prosecutor refuted the defence’s remarks and told the court Saedi was involved in a “joint criminal enterprise’’ that led police to seize a commercial quantity of drugs.
“The matter is detailed quite carefully throughout the fact sheet and he has a level of responsibility within the matter,’’ Sgt Gradden said.
Magistrate Peter Feather also dismissed the lawyer’s submission, noting police photographs that showed a bucket containing 23kg of meth on scales at a co-accused house.
Bail was refused and the matter will return to Parramatta Local Court on August 13.
The Croydon Park man, Saia Fapuiaki, 31, was taken to Burwood Police Station and charged with manufacture prohibited drug (large commercial quantity); two counts of import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
He appeared at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday morning and was refused bail.
His case was adjourned to August 19.
Penrith RES Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Wright, said criminal syndicates manufacturing prohibited drugs in suburban areas put neighbouring residents at risk.
“Clandestine laboratories have the potential to put surrounding houses and people in danger and they can be anywhere in the community – including high-density units like one uncovered yesterday,” Det Chief Insp Wright said.
“In this instance, police will allege that a child under the age of 10 was also exposed to chemicals used in the manufacture of methylamphetamine.
“It will be further alleged that this group of individuals were involved in, and were capable of, importing and manufacturing large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs into the state.
“This kind of irresponsible behaviour is simply unacceptable, and police will continue to target those that put the community – including children – in harm’s way.
“We would ask that the public remain vigilant to what is happening in their suburb, including those residing in an apartment complex, and report any suspicious behaviour to police,” Det Chief Insp Wright said.
Investigations under Strike Force Monfarville are continuing.