Broken toilet leads to mega Sydney ice haul
A Sydney drug dealer is cursing a broken toilet after a leaking pipe led to police discovering 220 kilograms of ice and $1.1 million in cash.
The drugs, with an estimated street value of $44 million, were found in a unit in Sydney's south-west after plumbers fixing a toilet pipe found bags of cash and a crystal substance in an open cupboard.
Police believe the unit was being used as a "safe house" to store the "illicit items".
READ MORE: Petrol prices hitting record 14-year highs in Australia
A leaking toilet pipe led to the discovery of $44m worth of ice and $1.1m cash. Supplied
Detective Acting Superintendent Stuart Gordon said it would have been an unusual discovery for the tradesman.
"No tradesman really anticipates going to work on any given day and tripping over hundreds of kilos of drug and cash, certainly a good story for some people to tell I'm sure," he said.
Police were called and searched the unit and a locked garage underneath the residential complex.
In another search, officers found 15 cardboard boxes full of almost 220 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine.
READ MORE: Cold front slams into south-eastern Australia
Police seized almost $1.15 million – some of which was found in a grocery bag. Supplied
Workers fixing a leaking toilet pipe reported finding bags of cash and a crystal substance in an open cupboard. Supplied
Police also seized 95 grams of MDMA and 35 grams of cocaine, along with chemicals consistent with the manufacture of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and ice.
Almost $1.15 million – some of it hidden in a grocery bag - was found inside the unit and garage.
Detective Acting Superintendent Gordon said the people involved in the drug haul are part of organised crime.
Detective Acting Superintendent Stuart Gordon said the haul is linked to organised crime. 9News
"220 kg of drug is a lot of drugs in anyone's language and when we're talking these quantities of drugs and cash you're looking at organised crime," he said.
"We would say people involved in organised crime and moving this quantity of drugs are a risk to the public every day of the week."
Since the search and drug seizure in July last year, the investigation has rolled on and today police released CCTV of a man they believe could help with inquiries.
READ MORE: Putin said Russia won't 'escalate' Ukraine crisis, Macron claims
Police believe this man can assist with their investigations Supplied
In the footage, the man is walking along Minter Street in Canterbury about 8.10pm on July 9, the day police first searched the unit.
Police believe he could be Asian, about 170cm tall and likely aged between 25-30.
Investigations are continuing.
Anyone with information about the incident or the man seen in the CCTV is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
