A man will appear in court today and two others have been charged over the alleged manufacture of more than 250kg of methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in Sydney’s west.
In December 2016, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad established Strike Force Lovelle to investigate the manufacture of prohibited drugs across NSW.
During the course of the investigation, two clandestine laboratories were dismantled at Menangle and Mt Hunter in 2018.
Police seized more than 600 items, including 1.4kg of prohibited drugs and equipment used to manufacture drugs, more than 21kg of MDA powder and pills, 28L of GHB, 13.5kg of precursors, and substances believed to be cocaine, steroids and methylamphetamine.
As part of ongoing inquiries, crime scene warrants were executed at a home and rural property on May Avenue, Rossmore, on Tuesday 18 June 2019, where investigators seized hundreds of rounds of ammunition and an electronic stun device.
A forensic examination also revealed positive results for prohibited drugs and precursors and further inquiries determined more than 250kg of MDA was manufactured at the properties.
Following further investigations, a 46-year-old man was arrested at Mascot Police Station about 10.15am on Tuesday 27 August 2019.
The Malabar man was charged with two counts of take part manufacture prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), possess ammunition without holding licence, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court on Tuesday 27 August 2019, where he was formally refused bail to re-appear at Liverpool Local Court on Tuesday 22 October 2019.
The next day (Wednesday 28 August 2019), a 27-year-old man was arrested at Tweed Heads Police Station.
The Queensland man was charged with take part manufacture prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), and participate criminal group.
He was refused bail and appeared at Tweed Heads Local Court on Thursday 29 August 2019, where he was formally refused bail to appear at Central Local Court on Monday 28 October 2019.
Following further investigations, a search warrant was executed at a home on Military Road, North Bondi, about 8am yesterday (Thursday 5 September 2019), where police seized documentation.
About 6.30pm the same day, detectives arrested a 42-year-old man at Waverley Police Station.
He was charged with two counts of take part manufacture prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), and knowingly direct activities of criminal group.
Police will allege in court that the men were involved in the manufacture of more than 250kg of MDA.
The North Bondi man was refused bail to appear at Waverley Local Court today (Friday 6 September 2019).
Investigations under Strike Force Lovelle continue.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Lovelle investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
