Shentelle Arrogante charged with large commercial drug supply

A young gaming supervisor’s Sydney unit was allegedly used to warehouse more than 34kg of methamphetamine, with the drugs smelling so strongly police were delayed from returning to work.

A western Sydney gaming supervisor has been granted bail in the NSW Supreme Court on large commercial drug supply charges. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

A gaming supervisor’s western Sydney unit was allegedly used to warehouse drugs for supply, which smelt so strongly police who raided the address were delayed in returning to work due to concerns about their ability to pass mandatory drug tests.

Shentelle Arrogante and eight others are accused of participating in a substantial drug supply ring after police allegedly found 34kg of methamphetamine, 2kg of cocaine, 1.4kg of heroin and 1kg of pseudoephedrine at her Lidcombe address.

Documents tendered to the NSW Supreme Court state the gaming attendant, 22, was living with her long-term boyfriend John Nguyen and a friend when police descended on June 5.

“In October 2023, Strike Force Iverach was established to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs by (another man) and his associates,” police allege in court documents.

“On entry (to the unit), police attached to the Public Order and Riot Squad immediately noticed a strong chemical smell within the unit.”

Shentelle May Arrogante, 22.

Police allegedly observed a “large number of large clear resealable bags which they believed to contain a prohibited drug” in the bathroom.

A small fan appeared to be operating a “drying” process, while an adjacent storage room allegedly held two bags believed to contain drugs or precursor chemicals.

“Police in attendance were trained in chemical hazards and immediately declared a crime scene and evacuated the premises due to health and safety concerns,” police allege in court documents.

During an earlier bail application for Arrogante’s boyfriend Nguyen, the court heard police were allegedly delayed from returning to work due to concerns the chemical smell would compromise their ability to pass mandatory drug tests.

Police allegedly seized 34kg of methamphetamine from the bathroom, and 2kg of cocaine, 1.4kg of heroin, and 1kg of pseudoephedrine from the hallway cupboard.

Arrogante was subsequently charged with four counts of large commercial drug supply and participating in a criminal group.

At court, barrister Ben Barrack told Justice Richard Button there was no suggestion of any link between Arrogante and the alleged supply ringleader, and emphasised her need for mental health treatment as he sought her bail.

But a Crown prosecutor said Arrogante was “no innocent bystander”, noting her name was on the apartment’s lease.

“A really sophisticated criminal wouldn’t dream of putting their name on the lease,” Justice Button observed.

Some police were reportedly delayed from returning to work after dealing with the alleged chemical smell at the apartment. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Justice Button described the case as “extremely strong”.

“She (allegedly) mixed herself up in some very serious drug offences,” Justice Button said.

“There is a ready inference to be drawn that we’re not talking about drug addicted street dealers who supply bits and pieces and use the profits immediately, we’re talking about something far vaster.”

Arrogante was granted bail to report to police daily, only leave the house with her mother or sister’s supervision, surrender her passport and abstain from drugs.

She will also be required to comply with mental health treatment and not use any encrypted device or application.

Her matter returns to court on August 28.

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