Two men will appear in court today charged with drug, ammunition and fraud-related offences following the discovery of two clandestine laboratories during an operation by the Raptor Squad yesterday.
In June 2022, officers attached to State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad established Strike Force Shaula to investigate the activities of a large-scale fraud syndicate with suspected links the supply and manufacture of prohibited drugs.
As part of the investigation, strike force detectives executed search warrants at homes at Earlwood, Haberfield, and Drummoyne, along with a storage facility at Gladesville from 9.30am yesterday (Friday 19 August 2022).
At Earlwood, officers located a clandestine laboratory in a concealed room and seized six litres of liquid methylamphetamine, cocaine, ammunition, mobile phones, electronic equipment.
The occupant, a 57-year-old man, was arrested and taken to Burwood Police Station.
The State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad Chemical Operations Unit attended and dismantled the lab, seizing chemicals and equipment used to manufacture prohibited drugs.
At Drummoyne, a 48-year-old man was arrested and during a search of the property, officers seized methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and more than $35,000 cash. He was also taken to Burwood Police Station.
At Haberfield and Gladesville, officers seized items used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs.
An additional search warrant was executed at a ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾bush premises about 5.30pm, where officers located a clandestine laboratory in the rear shed and seized cocaine located in the laundry area.
A crime scene was established and continues to be examined by the Drug and Firearms Squad’s Chemical Operations Unit.
The older man has since been charged with supply prohibited drug – large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug and acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order.
While the younger man has been charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug – indictable quantity, possess instructions for manufacture of prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime and drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today (Saturday 20 August 2022).
Investigations under Strike Force Shaula are ongoing.
