A man and a woman were arrested and a drug laboratory found after a coordinated police operation in the Casino area on Friday afternoon.
The raids were part of Strike Force Thermal, established by officers attached to Richmond Local Area Command to investigate the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs such as ice in the Casino area.
Police say that just before 7pm last Thursday, they stopped a vehicle on Bruxner Highway, Mummulgum and arrested the driver, a 43-year-old woman, and the passenger, a 35-year-old man.
During a search of the vehicle, police seized cash, and the car was also seized for forensic examination. The pair was taken to Casino police station.
The man was charged with conspiracy to manufacture a large commercial quantity of prohibited drug, two counts of manufacturing an indictable quantity of an indictable drug, two counts of break, enter and stealingin circumstance of aggravation, directing a criminal group, and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
The woman was charged with conspiracy to manufacture a large commercial quantity of prohibited drug and two counts of break enter and stealing in circumstance of aggravation.
They were both bail refused to appear at Lismore Local Court on 9 January.
Following inquiries, police with assistance from New England Local Area Command, executed two search warrants about 9pm on Friday.
At a house on Mackenzie Court, Tenterfield, police will allege to have located a clandestine laboratory, along with other items and drug paraphernalia. All items were seized for forensic examination.
Police also attended a house on Canterbury Street, Casino, and executed a search warrant and seized a number of items which will undergo forensic examination.
Ongoing investigations have now led to simultaneous search warrants being executed at two properties located at Stapleton Avenue and Callistemon Street, Casino, and Nandabah Street, Rappville and Pinnacles Road, The Pinnacles about 8am on Friday.
Police will allege to have located firearms, cash, drug equipment and chemicals believed to be used in the manufacture of drugs.
A second man, from the Rappville property, is currently assisting police with their inquiries at the scene.
Investigations are ongoing.
Detective Inspector Cameron Lindsay, Crime Manager at Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command, says that getting ‘ice’ off the streets remains a focus of command.
‘Ice is an extremely destructive drug and we are throwing as many resources as we can at this scourge, which continues to claim lives in our region,’ he said.
‘We ask anyone with information about the supply of ice in this area to contact Crime Stoppers or Casino Police.’
