Raids were carried out at a number of properties at Lakemba and residences in Blacktown, Merrylands and Doonside on January 8 and 9, and Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested two Iranian nationals, a 30-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman.
They were each charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.
The investigation began last month when Australian Border Force (ABF) officers allegedly found 100kg of meth concealed in a consignment of kitchen bench tops sent to Melbourne from Iran before being shipped to Lakemba in early January.
Investigators have also linked the syndicate to two other alleged drug importations of 60kg, and one of 30kg concealed in chandeliers, and acting ABF commander Ranj Maharaj, said “no concealment is too tough” for their officers.
“They have seen it all, and have advanced technology at their disposal to identify these illicit substances no matter how criminals try to hide them,” Act/Comm Maharaj said.
Noting that Australians are among the highest per capita users of methamphetamine, Acting AFP commander Geoff Turner said that meant law enforcement had to be “ever vigilant for syndicates that seek to exploit this devastating drug to line their own pockets”.
“This investigation uncovered a potentially dangerous clandestine laboratory operating in a Sydney suburb, which we have now shut down,” he said.
Investigations are continuing and further arrests are expected.
• Free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services is available from the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline, 1800 250 015.
Shut down drug lab
A DRUG ring which allegedly imported methamphetamine with a street value of about $187 million in a number of shipments last month, was using a Lakemba warehouse as a clandestine laboratory.
