Clandestine lab dismantled as three charged with drug manufacture and supply – Northern NSW

Two men will reappear at court today over the alleged supply and manufacture of a commercial quantity of methylamphetamine in Northern NSW.
Strike Force Delisle was established in May 2020 by detectives from the Coffs/Clarence Police District’s Firearm and Drug Unit to investigate the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs in the Coffs Coast and Hunter Valley regions.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives – assisted by Traffic and Highway Patrol – stopped a white Nissan utility on Waterfall Way at Ebor about 5pm on Friday 14 August 2020.
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 men were arrested and taken to Armidale Police Station.
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 and appeared before Tamworth Local Court on Monday 17 August, where they were formally refused bail. They will next appear at Armidale Local Court today (Monday 24 August 2020).
At the same time, police executed a search warrant at a home at Murrurundi, where they located an inactive clandestine lab. A crime scene was established and underwent a forensic examination.
Following further inquiries, about 5pm on Saturday 15 August 2020, 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 refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court on Sunday 16 August 2020, where he was formally refused bail to next appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Monday 19 October 2020.
On Thursday 20 August 2020, strike force detectives – with assistance from the Coffs/Clarence Target Action Group, Northern and Western Region Operational Support Group officers and AFP officers – 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.