Two men will re-appear at court after being extradited from Queensland over the alleged manufacture of methylamphetamine in the state’s north west.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearm Squad and New England Police District established Strike Force Clune to investigate the manufacture and supply of methylamphetamine (ice) in the area.
As part of their inquiries, strike force investigators executed three crime scene warrants at homes at Inverell and Tingha, about 30km south of Inverell, in April 2018.
Two large-scale clandestine laboratories were located at the Tingha and one of the Inverell properties.
More than 400 items were seized, including scientific glassware and other items consistent with drug manufacture, precursors, and documents, which have been examined by specialist forensic officers.
Following extensive inquiries, officers from Queensland Police Service, in the presence of detectives from the Drug and Firearms Squad, arrested two men – both aged 25 –at a correctional facility at Gympie on Tuesday 15 October 2019
The men appeared at Gympie Local Court on NSW arrest warrants later the same day, where NSW Police applied for and were granted their extradition to NSW.
The pair were escorted by detectives on a flight to Sydney on Wednesday 16 October 2019, before being taken to Mascot Police Station.
They were charged with multiple outstanding warrants, including for manufacture prohibited drug (indictable quantity), possess precursor intend to use in manufacture/production, and possess drug manufacture apparatus make prohibited drug.
The men appeared at Central Local Court on Thursday 17 October 2019, where they were formally refused bail to re-appear at Inverell Local Court today (Thursday 12 December 2019).
Anyone with information about in relation to the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
