A 49-year-old Nigerian national awaiting deportation from Australia and another man have been charged after police uncovered an alleged $9 million drug operation based out of an immigration detention center in Sydney.
In a statement on Saturday, July 27, 2024, NSW Police reported that they raided Villawood Detention Centre, where they allegedly discovered two kilograms of methamphetamine worth $165,000 hidden inside porridge boxes.
The Nigerian national, Dirichukwu Patrick Nweke, was arrested on July 11 and taken to Bankstown Police Station. He was charged with two counts of supplying an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug, supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, and directing a criminal group.
Police allege that Nweke was using an encrypted messaging service to coordinate a network of runners outside the detention center, distributing methamphetamine and cocaine throughout Sydney.
Subsequent police raids were conducted at addresses in Sydney’s east and west. In Liverpool, police allege that a drug runner attempted to flush 750 grams of methamphetamine and 90 grams of heroin down the toilet as officers arrived. An additional 90 grams of heroin was reportedly found on the bathroom floor, along with $325,000 in cash at the property.
A 24-year-old man, alleged to be a runner for Nweke, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses.
“During the search, police located 750 grams of methamphetamine and 90 grams of heroin in a toilet bowl, which police will allege was an attempt to dispose of the drugs,” Detective Superintendent Peter Faux stated at a press conference.
“Police also located and seized $325,000 in cash and a Dedicated Encrypted Criminal Communication Device.”
Police said this week’s efforts led to three separate syndicates dismantled across the city.
“The street value of those drugs which we’ve seized is in excess of $9 million.”
Nweke appeared in Bankstown Local Court on July 12 and was refused bail while the alleged runner faced court on the same day as his arrest.
