A WINDALE man accused of running a sophisticated commercial methamphetamine supply operation out of two properties and a storage unit had allegedly amassed $180,000 in cash, police say.
Paul Andrew Norton, 55, was arrested on Thursday after a three-month investigation by Strike Force Bunjil detectives into the supply of drugs, mainly ice, in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
Mr Norton was represented by solicitor James Wallace when he appeared in Belmont Local Court on Friday charged with 11 offences.
The charges include supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, four counts of supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, taking part in the supply of a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, conducting a drug premises and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
The charge of supplying a large commercial quantity of methamphetamine carries a maximum of life in jail.
He did not enter any pleas but applied for bail, which was refused by Magistrate Ron Maiden.
The matter was adjourned to the same court on August 18. According to police, in March this year officers attached to the Hunter Region Enforcement Squad (RES) established Strike Force Bunjil to investigate the supply of ice in the Hunter.
Following extensive inquiries, police stopped a Toyota Hilux on James Street at Windale about 8.30am on Thursday and spoke to the driver, who police say was Mr Norton.
A search of his vehicle allegedly uncovered methamphetamine inside a concealed compartment in the HiLux, police said.
He was arrested and taken to Belmont police station while police searched properties at Windale and Belmont and a storage unit at Belmont, where they allegedly located and seized more than $180,000 in cash, methamphetamine, cannabis, two electronic stun devices and a vehicle that police allege was purchased with the proceeds of crime.
Mr Norton's is the first arrest by investigators attached to Strike Force Bunjil and police say investigations are ongoing.
It comes after two massive transnational drug supply operations with ties to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie were smashed by police in the last month.
Newcastle man Brent McLaughlin was charged with importing 230 kilograms of methamphetamine, with a street value of more than $143 million, after an investigation in April into the importation of helical gear drives from South Korea.
In June, two men, allegedly part of a transnational organised criminal syndicate, were arrested at a storage facility at Lake Macquarie and accused of being involved in a conspiracy to supply three tonnes of cocaine.
