A 49-year-old Nigerian man, Dirichukwu Patrick Nweke, has been arrested in connection with an alleged $9 million dr¥g operation running out of Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney, Australia.
Nweke, who was awaiting deportation at the centre, and another man were accused of dealing large amounts of methylamphetamine using an encrypted messaging service.
NWS Police in a statement on Saturday, July 27, 2024, said they stormed Villawood Detention Centre, where they allegedly found two kilograms of meth worth $165,000 hidden inside porridge boxes. They also found three mobile phones during a search of a unit at the centre on July 11.
Nweke has been charged with multiple offences including directing a criminal group and supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited dr¥gs, DailyMail reports.
Two kilograms of methylamphetamine and $169,000 in cash linked to the syndicate were previously seized by officers, police said on Saturday.
On Wednesday, detectives uncovered 750 grams of methylamphetamine and 90 grams of heroin in a toilet bowl during a search of a home in Liverpool.
It’s alleged the find was evidence of ‘an attempt to dispose of the drugs’, while heroin was also found on the bathroom floor and $325,000 cash and an encrypted electronic device were also recovered.
Police also arrested a 24-year-old man they allege was a runner for the man in detention. He’s been charged with two counts of supplying a prohibited dr¥g, participating in a criminal group and other offences.
Both men were refused bail following brief appearances in court.
