Lake Illawarra detectives charge Sydney man with commercial drug supply, NSW

PLEASE NOTE: An image of the seized drugs will be available via NSWPF social pages

Detectives have charged a Guildford man with commercial drug supply following an investigation in the Illawarra region.

Strike Force Mote was established by detectives from Lake Illawarra Police District in August 2020, to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs from an automotive store in Port Kembla.

Following extensive inquiries, investigators executed a search warrant at an automotive store on Military Road, Port Kembla, about 7.40pm on Wednesday 30 September 2020.

During a search of the store, officers seized almost half a kilogram of methylamphetamine – which has an estimated potential street value of $80,000 – drug paraphernalia, a firearm and ammunition.

Two 27-year-old men and a 39-year-old man were arrested and charged with commercial drug supply offences in connection to the seizure. They remain before the courts.

Following further inquiries, about 4.15pm yesterday (Tuesday 17 November 2020), investigators from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad stopped a white Toyota Camry in Penrith.

A search of the car revealed $65,000 cash.

The 33-year-old male driver and 32-year-old male passenger were arrested and taken to Mount Druitt Police Station, where the passenger was released pending further inquiries.

A short time later, Strike Force Mote investigators executed a search warrant at the 33-year-old man’s Guildford home.

Investigators located and seized 16kg of MDMA, 3kg of methylamphetamine, 1kg heroin, 1kg cocaine and $320,000 cash.

The estimated street value of the drugs is in excess of $1.4 million.

The 33-year-old man was charged with five counts of large commercial drug supply and deal with proceeds of crime.

Police will allege the man was the upline supplier of a syndicate operating out of an automotive store in Port Kembla.

He was refused bail to appear in Mount Druitt Local Court today (Wednesday 18 November 2020).

Investigations under Strike Force Mote are continuing.

/Public Release. View in full here.