NSW Police have charged a man and a woman – both UK nationals – following the seizure of 107 kilograms of ketamine, cash, and other drug paraphernalia on Sydney’s north shore.
As part of an investigation into alleged drug supply in the area, detectives from North Shore Police Area Command attended a unit on Hampden Road, Artarmon, where they allegedly located and seized approximately two kilograms of prohibited drugs believed to be ketamine, scales, disposable gloves, clear resealable bags with white crystallised residue, and items of luggage.
Police will allege the unit had been rented for a short-term stay. Days later, officers executed a search warrant at a hotel in North Sydney.
“A 30-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, both UK nationals, were located in the hotel room. They were arrested and taken to Chatswood Police Station,” NSW Police said in a statement.
In the hotel room, officers allegedly located and seized a number of mobile phones, just over $2000 in cash, and documents police will allege were drug ledgers.
Police also searched a car allegedly rented by the 30-year-old man in the hotel carpark, where they allegedly found a total of approximately 105 kilograms of a prohibited drug believed to be ketamine in the boot.
The man and woman were charged with supply prohibited drug larger than indictable and less than commercial quantity, and supply prohibited drug larger than or equal to large commercial quantity.
They appeared at Manly Local Court and were refused bail. They are due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 26 August.
Police will allege the man and woman travelled to Australia for the sole purpose of taking part in the distribution and supply of large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs.
Further investigations into anyone else who may have been involved are underway, NSW Police confirmed.
