The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have dismantled a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in Sydney’s west and seized more than 100 kilograms of drug products, following a months-long investigation into an alleged criminal syndicate.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the syndicate showed “complete disregard” for the safety of Australians.
“The people behind importations like this have no regard for the harm and damage that illicit drugs wreak on the Australian community every minute of every day.”
The investigation began in October 2023 after US Customs and Border Protection intercepted 27 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in blankets shipped from South America to Australia. The drugs, which were saturated into the blankets, had an estimated Australian street value of $25 million. Intelligence from the US authorities was shared with the AFP, sparking an intensive local operation.
Police allege that the seized consignment was linked to a phone number previously involved in other attempted imports, which had already been intercepted by Australian Border Force.
In April 2024, AFP officers raided a property in Cabramatta connected to the consignment and recovered two devices allegedly linked to the import. A simultaneous search in Canley Vale uncovered a dedicated encrypted communication device, now under forensic examination.
Further investigations led officers to a third address in Fairfield East. On 19 June 2025, the AFP executed a search warrant at the property, uncovering a fully operational meth lab.
The laboratory was dismantled with assistance from the NSW Police Force’s Drug & Firearms Squad Chemical Operations team.
Items seized from the property include:
- 77kg of drug-impregnated materials
- 39kg of pre-manufactured methamphetamine
- 35kg of liquid allegedly containing methamphetamine
- Over 600 litres of chemical waste
- Multiple electronic devices now under examination
Det Supt Blunden praised the efforts of AFP investigators and intelligence teams, and thanked the NSW Police Drug & Firearms Squad for their expert support.
Enquiries into the broader criminal network remain ongoing.
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