Surry Hills Local Area Command

Seven people charged during raids on alleged $3.7 m Ice distribution syndicate

Police investigating an alleged drug syndicate have charged seven people and seized illegal drugs following a number of raids across Sydney where two clandestine laboratories were discovered.

In November 2009, Police from Surry Hills Region Enforcement Squad formed Strike Force Forsythe to investigate the distribution of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) in inner and South-West Sydney.

Following a controlled operation, heavily armed Police from the State Protection Group’s Tactical Operations Unit as well as officers from the Region Enforcement Squad (Surry Hills) executed five simultaneous search warrants at homes in Bankstown, Hinchinbrook, Merrylands and West Ryde last night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six men and a woman were arrested during the raids and taken to Police stations in Green Valley, Newtown and Redfern.

The arrests include:

• A 39-year-old West Ryde man charged with supplying prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).
• A 33-year-old Doonside man charged with supplying prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).
• A 38-year-old Mount Druitt man charged with supplying a commercial quantity of prohibited drug.
• A 41-year-old Mount Druitt man charged with supplying prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).
• A 44-year-old Werrington County man charged with supplying prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).
• A 24-year-old Hinchinbrook charged with supplying prohibited drug (commercial quantity).
• A 28-year-old Cromer woman charged with supplying prohibited drug (large commercial quantity).

All seven were refused bail and are expected to appear at courts across Sydney including Central Local Court, Newtown Local Court and Liverpool Local Court.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At two homes in Hinchinbrook, Police discovered two clandestine laboratories with an amount of chemicals and equipment allegedly used to manufacture crystal methamphetamine (Ice) seized.

During the course of the investigation Police allegedly seized 3.1kg of Ice with an estimated potential street value of $3.7 million which equates to approximately 63,000 individual drug deals.

Police also seized over 200 ecstasy pills and $40,000 during the raids.

Acting Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith alleged Police had put a major drug distribution ring out of business.

“In just three months, our expert investigators have managed to identify and dismantle what we allege is a significant drug operation peddling ice in Sydney’s South-West and the city.

“All illegal drugs have the potential to have serious health issues but ice is particularly nasty and is often produced in very dangerous environments using potentially lethal chemicals” said Assistant Commissioner Smith.

“People who use the drug ice are prone to serious side effects such as uncontrollable violence, hallucinations, paranoid delusions and bizarre behaviour.

“In recent months, Police have targeted alleged drug suppliers operating at a host of music festivals across NSW, now we are putting the squeeze on their street-level trade as well,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Smith said.

Investigations by Strike Force Forsythe are continuing with further arrests expected and Police are urging anyone with information about the operation or the illegal manufacture, distribution and supply of prohibited drugs to contact their local Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.