A major police operation targeting the manufacture and supply of illicit drugs has uncovered an inactive clandestine drug laboratory in Castlereagh and resulted in the seizure of more than 3.3 kilograms of prohibited drugs with an estimated street value of $515,000.
The operation, led by the NSW Police State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad, culminated in three coordinated raids across Sydney's west on Friday, 3 July.
The investigation, known as Strike Force Questa, began in December 2025 and focused on the alleged manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs in the Penrith area.
With assistance from the Northwest Metropolitan Operations Support Group and the Public Order and Riot Squad, detectives executed search warrants at properties in Castlereagh, Penrith and St Clair.
The most significant discovery was made at a Castlereagh property, where detectives located an inactive clandestine drug laboratory inside a shipping container.
Police seized approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 907 grams of methylamphetamine, 708 grams of heroin, 6 grams of MDMA, 180 grams of THC gummies, $85,550 in cash, two cash-counting machines and a hydraulic drug press.
The combined quantity of prohibited drugs seized during the operation totalled more than 3.3 kilograms, with police estimating a potential street value of approximately $515,000.
A 23-year-old St Clair man was arrested during the operation and taken to St Marys Police Station. Police also seized $10,000 in cash, a Ford utility and an electronic device.
He was charged with participating in the supply of a prohibited drug in a quantity greater than a commercial quantity and failing to comply with a digital evidence access order. Although initially refused bail by police, he was later granted bail by the Bail Division Local Court and is due to appear before Penrith Local Court on 4 September 2026.
A 26-year-old Penrith man was also arrested. Detectives allegedly located almost $40,000 in cash, steroids, a Rolex watch, a Ford utility and approximately one kilogram of cannabis, valued at about $5,000.
He was charged with supplying a prohibited drug in a quantity greater than small but less than indictable quantity and dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime valued at less than $100,000. He was also granted bail and is scheduled to appear before Penrith Local Court on 24 July 2026.
Police have confirmed that investigations under Strike Force Questa remain ongoing.
Anyone with information relating to the manufacture or supply of illicit drugs is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit information online. Information can be provided confidentially.
