NSW Central Coast, Australia
Raid nets $20m drug haul
July 26, 2005
From: AAP
POLICE have dismantled an elaborate drug laboratory on the New South Wales Central Coast after a raid which uncovered amphetamines worth about $20 million.
Strike Force Olea, set up to investigate drug activity in the area, uncovered $10 million worth of amphetamines ready for street sale from an agricultural shed on Wiseman's Ferry Road at Maroota on July 18.
Production appeared to be underway for another batch of the drug also thought to be worth $10 million.
But the ring responsible for the drug operation has so far escaped detection.
Detective Inspector Paul Willington of the Drug Squad said today 150,000 crushed-up cough and cold tablets were found at an elaborate lab and a further 50,000 tablets were also discovered.
Det-Insp Willington said police found drums of methylated spirits, large quantities of Demazin, Telfast, Sudafed and Dimatapp gelcaps on the property.
They also seized distillation equipment, a steam generator and large containers of waste.
"There was enough waste actually seeping through the floorboards to actually form a stalactite of methylamphetamine waste," he said.
Detective Inspector Brett McFadden said the dismantling of the lab took four days due to the size and complex set up.
"This was a well-established and sophisticated operation which had the potential to sell $20 million worth of speed on our streets," he said.
"No arrests have been made at this stage but a number of inquiries are in place to identify those responsible for setting up the lab and manufacturing the drugs."
Police intelligence and evidence suggested the tablets were being sourced from local pharmacies, he said.
From
News.com.au/AAP
EDIT: follow-up
Man charged over $20m speed haul
July 27, 2005
From: AAP
A MAN will appear in court today in connection with a $20 million drug bust on a property north of Sydney.
Police yesterday revealed they had dismantled a clandestine drug laboratory at Maroota, where they allegedly found in a farm shed $10 million worth of amphetamines ready for street sale.
About 200,000 cold tablets were found at the lab and production appeared to be underway for another batch of the drug, also thought to be worth $10 million.
Police said the ring responsible for the drug operation had escaped detection until yesterday.
But the breakthrough came last night when a 30-year-old man was arrested at a home at St Marys, in Sydney's west.
He was remanded in custody and will appear in Penrith Local Court today to face charges of manufacturing a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.
From
News.com.au/AAP