Dismantling a drug ring

Editorial: Lane Mihaljevic

Photography: Supplied

It didn’t take long for a routine rental inspection to take a turn after chemicals, waste product and scientific glassware were uncovered at a Werribee address in October 2016.

A sophisticated illicit drug laboratory was operating in the heart of suburbia, unbeknownst to anyone who walked by.

Clandestine Laboratory Squad Detective Acting Inspector Nicholas Allwood said he can recall the chain of events “all too well.”

“While every drug bust is significant, some are certainly more memorable than others,” Det A/Insp Allwood said.

“Local police attended the premises and immediately identified that the site was being used for the large-scale production of methylamphetamine – more commonly known as ‘ice’.

“That’s when they called us in.”

The Victoria Police Clandestine Laboratory Squad is a dedicated specialist resource responsible for the entry, assessment and processing of all suspected drug laboratories and chemical storage sites.

The squad also conducts high-level investigations into serious and organised crime syndicates seeking to manufacture illicit drugs within Victoria.

The discovery of the contaminated home kicked off a significant investigation.

“It took our forensic chemists four days to process and dissemble all of the materials found on site,” Det A/Insp Allwood said

“About 100 drums containing approximately three tonnes of waste was removed from the premises and it was estimated that the lab had produced more than one tonne of methylamphetamine.

“That’s equivalent to $90 million on the streets.”

What would later be referred to as the ‘Werribee Lab’ became the cornerstone of Operation Lingers, an investigation into a major Asian crime syndicate operating in Melbourne’s west.

In the days following the discovery, Clandestine Laboratory Squad investigators seized more than $100,000 in cash, a firearm and 11 kilograms of methylamphetamine from home and business addresses in Sunshine North, Keysborough and Bulleen with assistance from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).

“One member of the syndicate was arrested because his prints matched those found inside the Werribee Lab, and another was remanded into custody for manufacturing offences,” Det A/Insp Allwood said.

“After further investigation, it became apparent the group was communicating with associates both interstate and internationally.”

Examination of the chemicals purchased for use in the manufacturing process resulted in the identification of several additional syndicate members over the following weeks.

“Receipts and shopping dockets found at the Werribee Lab led police to commercial businesses where the syndicate had purchased materials necessary for the manufacture of methylamphetamine,” Det A/Insp Allwood said.

“The squad trawled through hundreds of hours of CCTV footage until they found evidence of an unknown male and female purchasing equipment.”

It was later determined that the couple pictured in the footage were ‘meth cooks’ flown in from Canada to work for the group.

“At the time of the Werribee Lab’s discovery, the pair were already heading up the Hume Highway,” Det A/Insp Allwood said.

“Their phone trail eventually went cold near Gundagai in New South Wales, where the head of the syndicate was later found to be located.”

Investigations conducted under Operation Lingers gathered more information about the group’s activities over the following weeks and months.

“Once the size of the syndicate’s operation became clear, the squad reached out to federal partner agencies seeking notification of any further businesses, individuals or activity that may be associated,” Det A/Insp Allwood said.

“It was then discovered that a member of the syndicate had provided an address to police during a routine traffic stop that was linked to an incoming shipment of a large amount of washing powder.

“Piles of discarded washing powder had been found at the Werribee Lab in October, so there was a genuine concern that the incoming importation contained drugs or precursor chemicals.”

It wasn’t long until police suspicions were confirmed.

“We were notified that a potential drug import had been detected on 19 December 2016,” Det A/Insp Allwood said.

“Normally, importations are the remit of federal authorities.

“But given the syndicate was found responsible for previous importations in 2014 and 2015, it was determined that the best way forward was to implement a joint agency investigative strategy.”

Operation Lingers quickly evolved into Operation Haughton, a multi-agency ‘strike force’ that had the combined resources to bring the syndicate’s operations to an immediate halt.

“The involvement of the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force (ABF) and ACIC ended up being pivotal to the operation’s success,” Det A/Insp Allwood said.

A shipping container concealing 300 kilograms of pseudoephedrine arrived at the Port of Melbourne, hidden in among boxes of Vietnamese branded washing powder, where it was detected by the ABF.

The pseudoephedrine was seized and substituted by the strike force at the time of its discovery, so when the shipping container finally made its way to the syndicate’s Tottenham factory in late December, there were no drugs inside.

It was at this point in the investigation when police were able to intercept incriminating phone calls.

“Because the individuals unpacking the shipping container at the factory were unable to locate the pseudoephedrine, they made several calls in the days following its delivery,” Det A/Insp Allwood said.

“Numerous conversations with facilitators in Vietnam and Canada were intercepted where Melbourne-based syndicate members were repeatedly told to check the shipment.

“It ended up getting to the point where the head of the syndicate travelled from New South Wales to inspect the boxes and pallets himself.”

Thanks to the efforts of all agencies involved, evidence obtained following the delivery of the shipment led to the arrest of eight syndicate members, including the head of the group.

All were charged and remanded for a mix of state and Commonwealth offences, including the importation of precursor chemicals and large-scale commercial manufacturing of methylamphetamine.

Det A/Insp Allwood said the positive outcome goes to show the importance of investigations like these, noting that manufacturing drugs is not a victimless crime.

“The chemicals and substances used in illicit drug labs pose significant health and safety risks to the community, because many of them are highly volatile, explosive or carcinogenic in nature,” he said.

“Fumes, gases and waste can contaminate neighbouring properties, endangering both human and environmental health.”

He also highlighted the impact these set-ups can have on properties and homeowners.

“Spare a thought for the owner of the house used for the Werribee Lab, who was unaware that illegal activity was taking place inside the property,” Det A/Insp Allwood said.

“It took several years before the site was rehabilitated to a level fit for habitation.

“The effects of drugs can be devastating, especially if they end up making their way to the streets.

“That’s where multi-agency operations like these come in – to shut down organised crime syndicates before they cause significant harm.”