A Kogarah house fire caused by a secret drug lab in September last year has exposed an alleged drug supply syndicate in Sydney.
A man will face court today charged after three people were arrested over their alleged roles in the syndicate in Sydney's north west.
About 4.30am on Saturday, September 1 , 2018, emergency services were called to a home on Gray Street, Kogarah, following reports of a fire.
After the fire was extinguished, police located a clandestine laboratory at the property.
A crime scene was established by officers from St George Police Area Command and, with the assistance of the Drug and Firearms Squad's specialist chemical operations team, the laboratory was dismantled.
The State Crime Command's Criminal Groups Squad took on the investigation under Strike Force Sonivir.
On February 13 this year strike force investigators arrested a 60-year-old man at Kogarah Police Station, where he was charged with 16 offences, including take part in the manufacture of large commercial quantity of prohibited drug, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and supply prohibited drug.
He was refused bail and is next due to re-appear at Sutherland Local Court on June 3.
On May 7, a 27-year-old man was arrested at a unit in Ryde and a search warrant executed.
Strike force investigators seized prohibited drugs, $70,000 cash, two vehicles, three motorbikes, jewellery and four luxury watches.
He was taken to Ryde Police Station, where he was charged with take part in manufacture of large commercial quantity of prohibited drug, take part in supply of commercial quantity of prohibited drug, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
He was refused bail and is next due to re-appear at Burwood Local Court on July 3.
Following further investigations, police arrested a 24-year-old woman during a vehicle stop on Samantha Riley Drive, Kellyville, about 5.15am yesterday.
Shortly after, detectives arrested a 25-year-old man at a home in Acacia Gardens and a 20-year-old man at unit complex in Blacktown.
Strike force investigators executed search warrants at homes in Acacia Gardens, Kellyville, Blacktown, Kellyville Ridge, Glenwood and a property in Sussex Street, Sydney.
Investigators located a firearm, 676g of 'ice', 2kg of MDMA, five luxury vehicles, drug paraphernalia, and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
These items were seized to undergo forensic examination.
The men and woman were taken to Castle Hill, Riverstone and Blacktown police stations respectively and charged with numerous offences.
Police will allege in court the two men and woman were part of a syndicate that manufactured and supplied prohibited drugs, including MDMA, 'ice' and cocaine.
It will also be alleged that the 25-year-old man was involved in manufacturing drugs at the Kogarah property before a fire broke out last year.
