Mouldy scales and a bottle of Absolut Vodka have been seized in a raid on a suspected steroids drug lab.
A 33-year-old man was arrested at his home in Woodcroft, in Sydney’s west, after authorities searched the property on Wednesday around 8am.
They allegedly uncovered the secret drug manufacturing lab in the kitchen, where they found beakers and vodka sprawled along the messy benches.
Mouldy scales and a bottle of Absolut Vodka have been seized in a raid on a suspected steroids drug lab
A 33-year-old man was arrested at his home in Woodcroft, in Sydney’s west, after authorities raided the property on Wednesday (pictured)
Fire and Rescue NSW’s HAZMAT checked the drug lab for safety purposes before it was dismantled by specialists officers from the Drug and Firearms Squad’s Chemical Operations Team.
The man was charged with manufacture prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug and possess drug manufacture apparatus make prohibited drug.
He was bailed to appear before the Blacktown Local Court on Friday.
Authorities began their investigations into the clandestine lab after an air cargo consignment arrived in Sydney from China on October 8 last year.
Police allege the consignment contained a vacuum filtration kit believed to be used in the manufacture of illicit steroids, as well as branded sticker labels for performance and image enhancing drugs.
Further air cargo was intercepted by ABF on June 7 2019 and detectives from Blacktown Police, investigating under Strike Force Hyndman, were notified.
The man was charged with manufacture prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug and possess drug manufacture apparatus make prohibited drug. He was bailed to appear before the Blacktown Local Court on Friday
Authorities began their investigations into the clandestine lab after an air cargo consignment arrived in Sydney from China on October 8 last year. Police allege the consignment contained branded sticker labels for performance and image enhancing drugs
ABF officers found the cargo, declared as plastic plates, contained a manual capsule filling and joining machine.
Two days later, ABF intercepted a consignment containing about 1kg of illicit steroids, hidden within food packaging.
Amid their inquiries, detectives issued a search warrant at the Woodcroft home on Wednesday.
Blacktown Police Area Command Commander, Detective Superintendent Trent King commended the efforts of NSW Police and ABF.
‘This joint investigation has prevented the potential manufacture and distribution of illicit substances throughout our local community and beyond,’ Det Supt King said.
ABF intercepted a consignment containing about 1kg of illicit steroids, hidden within food packaging, on June 9 2019
Fire and Rescue NSW’s HAZMAT checked the drug lab for safety purposes before it was dismantled by specialists officers from the Drug and Firearms Squad’s Chemical Operations Team
‘Our strong working relationships will navigate any detection at the border to ensure we continue to disrupt crime and investigate those involved in criminal activity, in turn, making our streets safer.’
ABF Regional Investigations Superintendent Garry Low said the finding was a reflection of the expertise of their officers.
‘Our officers continue to demonstrate their skills and expertise when it comes to identifying mail and cargo packages that are out of the ordinary,’ Supt Low said.
This detection came about because of their diligence and hard work in screening items coming through the border.
‘Their skills, coupled with the hard work of our intelligence teams and investigators and our close working relationships with our law enforcement partners, mean we are continuing to seize these items and disrupt those intent on breaking the law and facilitating their importation.’
Pictured: Sauce bottles were seized by police amid their investigations
Amid their inquiries, detectives issued a search warrant at the Woodcroft home on Wednesday