Secret ice lab busted in $6.5 million drug raid

Drug and Firearms Squad detectives have seized $6.5 million worth of methylamphetamine and dismantled what they believe is a laboratory hidden in an industrial shed in country NSW.

Drug and Firearms Squad detectives have seized $6.5 million worth of methylamphetamine and dismantled what they believe is a laboratory hidden in an industrial shed in country NSW.

Strike force detectives probing the distribution of ice throughout Sydney teamed up with the Public Order and Riot Squad to pounce on residents at the property in Marulan just after 4am on Thursday.

Two men – both aged 49 – were arrested inside the premises without incident.

Detective superintendent John Watson said the arrested are significant in the fight against prohibited drugs and organised crime.

“This lab had the potential to yield at least 10kg of methamphetamine in each batch, which is a commercial quantity.

“Ice continues to be the most common drug lab we find that has links to organised crime; these groups are continuing to destroy lives in cities as well as country towns across the state.

“We have dismantled 70 labs so far this year, and the community is much safer and better off without the drugs those labs produce.”

Drug and Firearms Squad detectives seized $6.5m worth of methylamphetamine.

During the search, police allegedly found a large inactive clandestine laboratory located within a large industrial shed at the back of the property.

They found chemicals and tools they believe could have been used to manufacture drugs, including approximately 16kg of methylamphetamine oil.

Specialist police from the Chemical Operations Team were deployed and safely dismantled the alleged lab.

Strike Force Crear investigators then executed a second search warrant at a home at Rossmore later in the morning, where several items were seized including 10 kilograms of methylamphetamine, electronic devices and documents relevant to the investigation.

The total value of the methylamphetamine seized is estimated to be $6.5 million.

Another man, aged 55, was arrested at a home in St Clair shortly before 11am.

A third search warrant was then executed at the home, where officers located more than $18,000 cash.

Two men – both aged 49 – were arrested inside the premises without incident.

The two 49-year-old men were taken to Goulburn Police Station, where one of the men was charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group and take part manufacture large commercial quantity prohibited drug.

The second man was charged with participate in criminal group contribute criminal activity and take part manufacture large commercial quantity prohibited drug.

Both men were refused bail to appear at Goulburn Local Court on Thursday.

Both men were refused bail to appear at Goulburn Local Court on Thursday when they were formally refused bail to reappear at the same court in September.

The older man was taken to Penrith Police Station and charged with participating in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity and manufacturing a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

He will appear at Penrith Local Court at a later date.

Investigations under Strike Force Crear are ongoing.