PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF branded images of the alleged prohibited drugs are available via hightail – https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/182iY3nyEB
Drugs and Firearms Squad detectives have charged two men and dismantled a clandestine lab in Sydney's west under Strike Force Kota.
Strike Force Kota was established by State Crime Command's Drugs and Firearms Squad and the Region Enforcement Squad Bankstown in May 2023 to investigate the prohibited manufacture and supply of drugs.
Following extensive inquiries, about 11.20am yesterday (Thursday 22 June 2023), strike force detectives – with assistance from the Public Order and Riot Squad – executed a crime scene warrant at an alleged clandestine lab on Southee Circuit, Oakhurst.
A 54-year-old man was arrested nearby and was taken to Granville Police Station.
During a search of the lab, police located $10,550 in cash and approximately 1687g of methylamphetamine – estimated to have a street value of $2 million.
Specialist officers from the Drug and Firearms Squad's Chemical Operations Unit, Forensic Evidence and Technical Services (FETS) and the Fire and Rescue NSW HAZMAT team were called in to assist in processing and dismantling the lab.
About 11.50am, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad – arrested a 51-year-old man on Melton Street in Granville, before he was taken to Granville Police Station.
A short time later, they executed a search warrant at a home on Osgood Street, Guildford, where officers located and seized $8,565 in cash.
Both men were charged with manufacture prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug >= large commercial quantity, and deal with property proceeds of crime.
They were refused bail, with the older man to appear before Blacktown Local Court today (Friday 12 June 2023, and the younger man to appear before Parramatta Local Court today.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
