Van Carrying $200 Million in Illegal Drugs Crashes Into Parked Police Cars

It has been reported that just before 10.30am on Monday, 22^nd July 2019, a van carrying 273 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine – or ‘ice’ – crashed into police cars parked outside Eastwood Police Station in Sydney’s north-west.

Officers inside the station are reported to have heard a loud bang before walking out to see significant damage to the front of a police vehicle, but no sign of an offender.

About an hour later, police observed a damaged Toyota HiAce travelling south on Church Street toward Ryde bridge.

They pulled-over and searched the vehicle, allegedly locating 13 boxes each containing 21, one kilogram bags of ice.

They arrested the driver and charged him with large commercial drug supply, negligent driving and failing to give particulars following a collision.

The man came before Burwood Local Court where he did not apply for bail, and was remanded in custody.

“It’s an exceptional set of circumstances that brings us here today,” Detective Inspector Glen Baker told the media.

“Crashing into a police vehicle with that amount of drugs on board is somewhat unheard of and is an exceptional set of circumstances.”

“With a haul of this size, this has now initiated quite a significant investigation.”

“This would be one of the easiest drugs busts that NSW Police has every made – incredible, absolutely incredible”.

The Offence of Drug Supply in NSW

Supplying a prohibited drug is an offence under section 25 of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW), the maximum penalty for which depends on:

1. The type of drug supplied,
2. The ‘admixed’ weight of the drug (meaning the total weight of the substance containing the drug), and
3. Whether the case is finalised in the Local Court, or a higher court such as the District Court.

The applicable maximum penalties for cannabis, amphetamines, MDMA (which is contained in ‘ecstasy’), cocaine and heroin are outlined in the following table.

It is important to be aware that a person can be found guilty if he or she ‘knowingly takes part in the supply’, which includes materially participating in any stage of the supply chain.

The offence also extends to providing drugs to others free-of-charge.

Charged with drug supply?

If you are going to court for a drug supply charge, call Sydney Criminal Lawyers anytime on 9261 8881 to arrange a free first conference during which one of our experienced criminal defence lawyers will advise you of your options, the best way forward, and fight to ensure you achieve the optimal outcome.