A vehicle stop in Sydney’s CBD has led to the discovery of almost $6.5 million worth of Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL).
Just after 4.30pm on Friday (15 March 2020), detectives attached to Sydney City Police Area Command were patrolling the CBD when they stopped a hire car on Yurong Street, Darlinghurst.
Following a conversation with the 37-year-old driver, officers searched him, allegedly locating and seizing cash and drugs believed to be methylamphetamine (ice).
During a subsequent search of the Toyota Corolla, detectives seized approximately 27kgs of GBL, $20,000 cash, and various electronic devices and documents allegedly linked to the supply of prohibited drugs.
The man was arrested and taken to Day Street Police Station, where he was charged with supply large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, supply prohibited drug and two counts of dealing with proceeds of crime.
He appeared before Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday (16 May 2020), where he was formally refused bail. The man is set to re-appear before Central Local Court on Tuesday 7 July 2020.
As a result of follow-up inquiries, detectives executed a search warrant at a Regents Park factory on Monday (18 May 2020), where they seized 724kgs of GBL.
A further 56kgs of GBL was seized during a search warrant at a unit in Hunters Hill yesterday (Tuesday 19 May 2020), with officers also dismantling a clandestine laboratory set up within the home.
The total amount of GBL seized by investigators to date is approximately 807 kilograms, with an estimated potential street value of almost $6.5 million.
NSW Police are liaising with interstate agencies as inquiries continue. Anyone with information is urged to come forward via Crimestoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
Information is treated in strict confidence.
