Five men arrested as $21m of meth seized in western Sydney drug lab

Detectives have arrested five men and seized $21m of methylamphetamine after dismantling a drug lab in western Sydney.

Five men have been arrested, and four of them charged, after detectives said they found and dismantled a large hidden drug laboratory and seized a multimillion dollar load of methylamphetamine in Sydney’s west.

Drug and Firearm Squad detectives made the discovery of the clandestine operation and the drugs – worth about $21m in street value – in Colebee about 2:20pm on Tuesday following an investigation into the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs across Sydney.

In April this year, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Bogolong to investigate a syndicate allegedly involved in the large-scale manufacture of the drug ‘ice’.

Strike force detectives were assisted by South West Metropolitan Region Operation Support Group (OSG) to execute a search warrant at the Colebee address where the lab was uncovered after a search of the premises.

In the laboratory, police equipment and chemicals consistent with the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs, and more than 6kg of methylamphetamine.

The ‘ice’ was estimated at a street value of $21 million. Picture: NSW Police

During the search, a 33-year-old man was arrested inside the property and taken to Riverstone Police Station.

He was later charged with manufacturing a prohibited drug more than large commercial quantity, and participating in criminal group contributing to a criminal activity.

Parts of the secret drug lab that detectives discovered. Picture: NSW Police

Five people were arrested following the bust

of $21 million worth of meth. Picture: NSW Police

A short time later, a second man, 32, was arrested outside a property on Cardigan St at Auburn and taken to Auburn Police Station.

He was charged with manufacturing a prohibited drug more than large commercial quantity, participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity, and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, and possessing a prohibited drug.

At this address, police also seized a black Honda Accord fitted with a sophisticated hide, as well as a number of precursor chemicals, electronic devices, prohibited drugs, and cash.

On Thursday, investigators – with the help of Raptor Squad – pulled over a Toyota HiLux travelling south on the Hume Hwy near Menangle just before 5pm.

The bust was a collaborated effort executed by highly-trained squad teams and detectives. Picture: NSW Police

Police searched and found 15kg of methylamphetamine, electronic devices, and around $7,000 cash in the HiLux, which are due to undergo forensic examination.

As a result, a 36-year-old man and 33-year-old woman were arrested and taken to Campbelltown Police Station. The woman has since been released pending further inquiries.

The drugs were found stashed in metal gastros

inside the premises. Picture: NSW Police

The 36-year-old man was charged with manufacturing a prohibited drug more than large commercial quantity, supplying a prohibited drug more than large commercial quantity, and possessing a prohibited drug.

Later that day, another man, 39, was arrested at a home in Guildford West and taken to Granville Police Station.

He was charged with manufacturing a prohibited drug more than large commercial quantity and participating in a criminal group contributing to criminal activity.

Further inquiries have led to the arrest of a fifth man, 36, during a vehicle stop at Seven Hills on Friday morning at about 9:40am. He’s been taken to Blacktown Police Station where he is expected to be charged.

All men who had charges laid against them were refused bail to appear in their respective local courts.