Three men have been charged in relation to a major drug manufacturing and supply chain operating throughout Hunter Valley, New England and Coffs Coast regions.
As part of investigations by Strike Force Delisle, established in May 2020, police executed a search warrant at a home at Murrurundi, where they located an inactive clandestine lab.
Following inquiries, about 5pm on August 15, a 42-year-old Aberdeen man was arrested at Muswellbrook Police Station.
He was charged with manufacture a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs and faced Newcastle Local Court on August 16, where he was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on October 19.
As part of investigations, Strike force detectives also stopped a white Nissan utility on Waterfall Way at Ebor about 5pm on August 14.
Police spoke with two men – aged 45 and 47 – before conducting a search of the vehicle, where they allegedly located methylamphetamine, ammunition and chemicals used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs.
The 45-year-old Murrurundi man was charged with manufacture a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, while the 47-year-old Billys Creek man was charged with manufacture and supply a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs.
Both men were refused bail appearing at at Armidale Local Court on August 24.
On August 20, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at two properties at Billys Creek.
During the searches, police located and seized glassware used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs, a kilogram of dried cannabis and approximately 10 litres of chemicals believed to be either prohibited drugs or precursors used in their manufacture.
The liquids have been sent for further forensic analysis.
Coffs/Clarence Police District Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Guy Flaherty, said these arrests will disrupt the local supply network of methylamphetamine across several regions.
“We will be alleging this illegal activity not only affected the Coffs Coast area, their connections also stemmed into our Hunter Valley and New England regions.
“Through fantastic collaborative work and information sharing with our neighbouring police districts, we have been able to interrupt a cross-region drug network of both manufacture and supply.
“Strike Force Delisle remains ongoing with further investigation and arrests expected,” Det Ch Insp Flaherty said.
