NSW Police and the Australia Federal Police will address the media after a man was charged and the seizure of more than a tonne of powders consistent with drug manufacture as part of an ongoing investigation into large-scale drug trafficking.
In January 2019, the State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad and the NSW Crime Commission established Strike Force Pirinari to investigate the importation, manufacture and supply of illicit drugs and precursors in NSW.
Acting on information from the NSW Police Force, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers targeted an air cargo consignment, which had arrived at a Sydney freight depot from South East Asia in February this year.
During a subsequent deconstruction of the consignment, it was found to contain about 400kg of methylamphetamine, which has an estimated potential street value of $300 million.
Strike force investigators seized the drugs and commenced a joint investigation with the Australian Federal Police, with the assistance of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, assisted by the Dog Unit and the Drug and Firearms Squad's Chemical Operations Team, executed a search warrant at a business premises at Rockdale about 8.15am yesterday.
During the search, police seized 1.1 tonnes of assorted powders, suspected to be precursors used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs.
The substances have the potential to yield 400kg of methylamphetamine.
Inside the roof cavity of the building, officers located and seized cocaine, cannabis, more than 1000 rounds of ammunition and in excess of $10,000 in cash.
A 25-year-old man was arrested and charged with multiple offences, including supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis.
He was refused bail to appear at Central Local Court today.