Police seize approximately 70 litres of meth, Hong Kong national charged
This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and New South Wales Police
A Joint Organised Crime Group (JOCG) investigation has resulted in the seizure of approximately 70 litres of methylamphetamine and the arrest of a 53-year-old Hong Kong national.
Since 2017, JOCG investigators began looking into the activities of a 53-year-old Hong Kong national and his involvement in the alleged manufacture of methylamphetamine.
On Wednesday, 10 January 2018, JOCG investigators with assistance from NSW Police State Crime Command Drug Squad executed a search warrant at a residence in Campsie, NSW, where approximately 70 litres of methylamphetamine along with equipment consistent with manufacturing methylamphetamine was located.
As a result of this discovery, the Hong Kong national was arrested and has been charged with knowingly manufacturing a prohibited drug greater than a large commercial quantity, contrary to s24(2) of the Drugs Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW).
This offence has a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The man was refused bail, to appear at Burwood Local Court today (Thursday, 11 January 2018), where he was refused bail again to reappear on Wednesday, 7 March 2018.
AFP Coordinator Organised Crime, Detective Superintendent Stephen Dametto said it was not surprising that organised crime was continuing to turn to illicit drug manufacturing here in Australia.
“We’ve had enormous successes over the past few years stopping drugs from being imported into Australia - with more than a tonne of methylamphetamine stopped in Western Australia before Christmas,” Det. Supt Dametto said.
“The discovery of this clandestine laboratory is a prime example of how criminal syndicates will use any means possible to produce these terrible drugs that cause significant harm to our communities.”
NSW Police Organised Crime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Tony Cooke said the NSW Police Force was committed to reducing the availability of prohibited drugs on the streets of NSW.
“This result is a further demonstration of the ability of law enforcement agencies at a State and Commonwealth level to work in partnership to seize drugs and remove them from the community,” Det. Supt Cooke said.
“The community has an important role to play in reducing the impact of illicit drugs. You are our eyes and ears, and we want to hear from you if you notice something suspicious.”
The Joint Organised Crime Group (JOCG) includes members from the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police, Australian Border Force, Department of Home Affairs, NSW Crime Commission, and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
Media enquiries
AFP National Media: (02) 6131 6333
NSW Police: (02) 8263 6100
