Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, South Australia Police
A third man was arrested today in connection with a large scale clandestine drug laboratory located in Adelaide’s south this week.
On Monday SA Police (SAPOL) announced one of the largest methamphetamine clandestine drug laboratories ever discovered in South Australia had been located at a residence in Morphett Vale.
Along with equipment and chemicals, police located about 120 kilograms of powder, suspected of being methamphetamine, undergoing a manufacturing process. Included was also 11kg of what police suspect is crystalline methamphetamine, commonly referred to as ‘ice’.
Two men appeared in court on Monday in connection with the seizure.
Today detectives from the SAPOL Serious and Organised Crime Branch (SOCB) attended a business in Fulham and arrested a third man, a 31-year-old from Plympton.
He has been charged with manufacturing a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug namely methamphetamine and trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.
It is expected that the man will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court tomorrow (11 October).
Detective Superintendent Mark Trenwith, the officer in charge of SOCB, said the arrests were as a result of SAPOL working with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission to target this criminal syndicate.
“This joint operation has directly resulted in the discovery of the drug lab at Morphett Vale last Sunday and the arrests of these three men,” he said.
“The success of this partnership between SAPOL and the ACIC means that large quantities of ice, valued at millions of dollars, have been prevented from hitting the street.
“Clandestine drug laboratories pose significant risks to the community and contain corrosive, flammable and toxic chemicals that are often associated with fires and explosions.
“This is also a timely reminder to the community that people who seek to produce illicit drugs can face penalties up to $500,000 and or life imprisonment.
“I urge members of the public who have information about drug trafficking or manufacture to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission acting State Manager David Richardson said the agency targets serious and organised crime threats impacting the Australian community.
“We are committed to working with partners on a multi-faceted approach to target illicit drugs. This operation demonstrates the value of intelligence sharing between the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and our state and territory police partners,” he said.
The investigation is continuing.