Alleged meth lab nets 150L of liquid meth in Sydney’s southwest
Investigators have busted an alleged meth lab and a large quantity of drugs in Sydney’s southwest after an 18-month investigation.
The Express
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Investigators have busted an alleged meth lab and a large quantity of drugs in Sydney’s southwest after an 18-month investigation.
In January 2018 Operation Sudwala officers seized 70L of methamphetamine from a Campsie home and arrested a 53-year-old Hong Kong man for his alleged involvement in manufacturing the drug.
He remains before the courts charged with knowingly manufacturing a prohibited drug in a commercial quantity, which has a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The ongoing investigation prompted a raid on a Lakemba home on July 3, which uncovered information leading officers to the Beverly Hills property.
Two resulting raids uncovered a clandestine drug laboratory, which police will allege was being used to extract methamphetamine from fabric soaked in the substance.
Police have now located approximately 15-17kg of methamphetamine, a quantity of fabric also soaked in methamphetamine, and an estimated total of 150L of liquid methamphetamine.
A 51-year-old Chinese woman and a 56-year-old Chinese man from Lakemba were arrested by Australian Federal Police and NSW Police officers and charged with manufacturing and producing prohibited drugs.
They both appeared in court on July 5 and will remain in custody to reappear at Burwood Local Court on August 29.
AFP Organised Crime co-ordinator Detective A/Superintendent Mark Webster said the seizure of illicit drugs and disruption to the alleged criminal syndicate was significant.
“There is more work to do to ensure that we make life as difficult as possible for organised crime syndicates operating in our community,” Det A/Supt Webster said.
“We will continue this fight with our partners using our full suite of capabilities.”
NSWPF Organised Crime Squad Commander Detective A/Superintendent Damien Beaufils said all criminal enterprise was motivated by profit.
“While ever there is high-demand for drugs, there will be someone trying to exploit it,” Det A/Supt Beaufils said.
“While collaborative local and international law enforcement operations are having success in targeting these networks and their activities, we need strong community co-operation to break the cycle of addiction and ultimately reduce demand for illegal drugs.”
Australian Border Force Commander of Investigations Graeme Grosse said working together with law enforcement partners had again led to a great result.
“An investigation that has led to multiple charges and involved our federal and state law enforcement partners demonstrates we do not tolerate the importation of illicit drugs through our border or domestic manufacturing in our community.” Commander Grosse said.
Investigations are continuing and further arrests have not been ruled out.