Villawood immigration centre detainee charged by Organised Crime Squad

A Nigerian national has been nabbed for allegedly running a high-level drug operation from inside a Sydney immigration detention centre.

A man has been nabbed for allegedly running a high-level drug operation from inside Villawood immigration detention centre.

NSW Police will allege the 49-year-old Nigerian national has been co-ordinating drug runners selling methamphetamine and cocaine throughout Sydney and beyond.

The major crackdown by the criminal gang squad comes as ABF warns its powers to combat the illicit drug trade alone was limited.

Describing the immigration system as having a “prison-like culture” where some detainees were using standover tactics, Commander Budhy Tanddo said ABF had less search and seizure powers than police.

In this latest raid, alleged drug kingpin Dirichukwu Patrick Nweke has been charged with drug supply and directing a criminal group.

Dirichukwu Patrick Nweke has been charged with drug supply and directing a criminal group.

Dirichukwu Patrick Nweke was arrested by police over an alleged drug ring at Villawood. Pictures: NSW Police

In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Telegraph, NSW Police Organised Crime Squad boss Peter Faux warned drug runners associated with Nweke’s alleged syndicate they were on borrowed time.

On Wednesday, one suspect was busted and allegedly caught flushing 750 grams of methylamphetamine and 90 grams of heroin down the toilet at Liverpool.

Police say another 90 grams of heroin was found on the bathroom floor. They also seized $325,000 in cash and a Dedicated Encrypted Criminal Communication Device.

A 24 year old Liverpool man was charged with supplying drugs, dealing with the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.

Police seized meth during the investigation. Pictures: NSW Police

Detective Superintendent Faux said police would allege Nweke was operating on an encrypted messaging service to deal large quantities of methamphetamine through a network of runners outside of the detention centre.

He said police will allege he organised the sale of drugs on May 22, June 11 and July 11, the latter for the sale of 2kg of meth for $170,000.

Heroin was flushed down the toilet, police said.

Police seized $325,000 in cash as part of the investigation.

Detectives intervened and stopped the sale before executing a search warrant at the detention centre, with the help of ABF. They seized three phones they allege Nweke used in his drug dealing.

He was arrested and charged with drug offences and directing a criminal group.

Mr Faux said his team of detectives was still working to understand how Nweke was recruiting people to operate his network, and how he built relationships with these people.

“Rest assured we will continue chasing these other people and working with Border Force to identify other criminals operating within detention centres,” he said.

“No matter where criminal syndicates are, there are no safe havens and no one we won’t investigate if they are dealing drugs in the community,” Mr Faux said.

Organised Crime Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Peter Faux. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty

ABF’s Commander Tanddo said his teams worked tirelessly to ensure safety and security was maintained “noting the detention population has a high proportion of people with criminal backgrounds, including those who have been incarcerated for serious offences and have higher security and health risks”.

“A prison-like culture has developed within the immigration detention system, with standover tactics often used,” the commander said.

“There has been a significant infiltration of illicit drugs into the system and alcohol abuse – through the use of alcoholic home brew kits – is also common. As such, there has been a notable increase in substance-related incidents and regular threats and acts of violence against detainees, staff and contractors.”

Commander Tanddo said the current cohort includes detainees with serious convictions related to violence and drugs, including Outlaw Motorcycle Gang members, which adds a higher degree of volatility and criminal experience into the system.”

The ABF’s current ability to search for illicit substances is limited.

“While some searches are conducted with police, who have greater search and seizure powers, the ABF’s limited powers places additional pressure on already stretched police resources,” the commander said.

Originally published as Villawood immigration centre detainee charged by Organised Crime Squad