Wetherill Park Region Enforcement Squad officers investigating the large-scale supply of methylamphetamine (ice) in Sydney's south west have charged four people and uncovered a clandestine laboratory near Cabramatta.
In November last year, officers from Wetherill Park Region Enforcement Squad (RES) established Strike Force Dowed to investigate a criminal syndicate involved in the supply of methylamphetamine (ice) across the South West Metropolitan Region.
Following extensive inquiries, officers arrested three men and a woman during an operation across south-west Sydney last Thursday (18 March 2021).
Investigators, with assistance from South West Metropolitan Region Operations Support Groups (OSG), subsequently executed four search warrants at homes at Cabramatta West, Cabramatta, Mt Pritchard and Yagoona.
During the searches, police seized $45,500 cash and methylamphetamine (ice).
In a search of the Cabramatta West home, officers located a large-scale clandestine laboratory and established a crime scene.
The property was subsequently examined by specialist officers from the Drug and Firearms Squad's Chemical Operations Team, which was dismantled over the weekend.
A number of chemicals – including iodine, ephedrine, hypophosphorous acid (HPA) and other solvents – as well as items consistent with the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs, were seized.
All items will undergo further forensic examination.
A 51-year-old Mt Pritchard man was charged with 11 offences including; supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), nine counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
A 51-year-old Cabramatta West man was charged with six offences including; supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), four counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
A 54-year-old Yagoona woman was charged with 10 offences including; supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), eight counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
All three appeared at Liverpool Local Court on Friday 19 March 2021, where they were formally refused bail to reappear at Liverpool Local Court today (Monday 22 March 2021).
A 61-year-old Cabramatta man was charged with nine offences including; supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), four counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and three counts of possess prohibited drug.
He appeared at Fairfield Local Court on Friday 19 March 2021, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Liverpool Local Court on Friday 14 May 2021.
Investigations under Strike Force Dowed are continuing.
Anyone with information about the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
