Release Date: Monday, November 04 2013, 07:53 AM
A syndicate allegedly producing drugs in the northern NSW/Gold Coast area has been dismantled following an Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigation that resulted in the arrest of three people on Friday evening.
A 37-year-old Tweed Heads man and a 52-year-old man from Coffs Harbour are scheduled to face Lismore Local Court this morning after they were arrested at Tweed Heads on Friday evening. A 32-year-old man arrested at Forster on the NSW mid-north coast is set to appear before Taree Court via video link on Tuesday, 5 November. A 32-year-old man from the Tweed Heads area will also be issued a Court Attendance Notice for this matter.
It will be alleged that the men were members of a syndicate actively involved in the production and distribution of amphetamine-type substances.
This operation commenced this year to investigate the importation of drugs into Australia. It will be alleged in court that investigators discovered syndicate members had recently established a clandestine laboratory in Tweed Heads in NSW with a second laboratory discovered on the night of the arrests in Currumbin Waters, Queensland.
The assistance of the NSW Police's Drug Squad Chemical Operations Team and the QLD Synthetic Drug Operations Unit were required to dismantle both of these drug production sites. The AFP conducted a total of five search warrants in the Gold Coast and northern NSW area in relation to this operation.
AFP National Manager Serious and Organised Crime, Ramzi Jabbour warned that people seeking to profit from engaging in organised crime activities would continue to be targeted.
"The AFP is committed to targeting all forms of serious criminality, including groups such as this which allegedly devoted significant time, effort and resources in an attempt to establish a drug production and distribution syndicate," said Assistant Commissioner Jabbour.
"This matter progressed quickly once our investigators learned of the existence of clandestine drug laboratories in residential areas, and I wish to acknowledge the NSW Police Force and Queensland Police Service members who assisted in the resolution of this matter to dismantle these laboratories, ensuring the safety of the community.
"Despite the arrests and search warrant activities that have taken place over the last few days, the AFP's investigations into this matter remain ongoing."
The 37-year-old man has been charged with the following offences:
• Two counts of Conspiracy to import into Australia, commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, contrary to sections 307.1 and 11.1 of the Criminal Code Act (1995).
• Two counts of Conspiracy to manufacture and produce a prohibited drug, contrary to section 24(1) of the Drugs Misuse and Trafficking Act (1985).
• Two counts of Manufacture and produce a prohibited drug, contrary to section 24(1) of the Drugs Misuse and Trafficking Act (1985).
• One count of supply a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, contrary to section 25(1) of the of the Drugs Misuse and Trafficking Act (1985).
The 52-year-old man has been charged with the following offences:
• One count of manufacture and produce a prohibited drug, contrary to section 24(1) of the Drugs Misuse and Trafficking Act (1985).
The 32-year-old man has been charged with the following offences:
• Conspiracy to manufacture and produce a prohibited drug, contrary to section 24(1) of the Drugs Misuse and Trafficking Act (1985).
• Supply a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug contrary to section 25(1) of the of the Drugs Misuse and Trafficking Act (1985).
The maximum penalty for these offences is life imprisonment.
Media enquiries:
AFP National Media (02) 6131 6333