A 49-year-old Nigerian man, Dirichukwu Patrick Nweke, has been charged with orchestrating a large-scale drug trafficking operation from inside the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney.
Nweke allegedly managed the syndicate using encrypted communications while being held at the facility.
On July 11, police conducted a search of Nweke’s detention unit and discovered three mobile phones suspected to be involved in the drug operations.
Authorities claim Nweke utilized these devices to oversee and direct a network of drug runners, facilitating significant transactions of methylamphetamine.
The Australian police’s investigation into Nweke has revealed that he played a central role in directing a drug ring responsible for handling large amounts of methamphetamine.
Previously, law enforcement had seized two kilograms of meth and $169,000 in cash connected to this network, emphasizing the extensive reach of the operation.
In a subsequent search conducted on July 24 at a Liverpool residence, detectives uncovered 750 grams of methylamphetamine and 90 grams of heroin concealed in a toilet bowl, which they allege was an attempt to dispose of evidence.
Additional heroin was found on the bathroom floor, and $325,000 in cash along with an encrypted device was also recovered. This find further illustrated the financial and operational scope of the drug syndicate.
Nweke, along with a 24-year-old man identified as a drug runner for the network, faces multiple charges including directing a criminal group and supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs.
Both individuals were denied bail after their court appearances.
The charges reflect the gravity of the case and highlight ongoing efforts by law enforcement to dismantle sophisticated drug operations within and beyond detention facilities.
The investigation, led by Strike Force Brevifolia and supported by the NSW Crime Commission and Australian Border Force, continues as authorities seek to disrupt the communication channels used by these criminal networks.
