A Nigerian man, Dirichukwu Patrick Nweke, has been arrested for allegedly running a $9 million drug ring from Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney. Police found significant amounts of meth and heroin and seized $325,000 in cash. Nweke and an accomplice face multiple drug-related charges.
A 49-year-old Nigerian, Dirichukwu Patrick Nweke, has been arrested for allegedly operating a $9 million drug ring from the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney, Australia. Australian police conducted a raid at the detention center on July 11, uncovering two kilograms of methamphetamine worth $165,000 hidden in porridge boxes.
Nweke was charged with multiple offenses, including supplying large quantities of prohibited drugs and directing a criminal group. Authorities claim Nweke used encrypted messaging to coordinate a network of runners distributing meth and cocaine across Sydney. Further police operations in Sydney’s east and west led to the discovery of significant amounts of drugs and cash.
In Liverpool, police alleged a drug runner attempted to flush 750 grams of meth and 90 grams of heroin down a toilet. An additional 90 grams of heroin was found on the bathroom floor, and $325,000 in cash was seized. A 24-year-old man, believed to be one of Nweke’s runners, was also arrested and charged with various drug offenses.
Detective Superintendent Peter Faux stated that the raids resulted in the dismantling of three separate drug syndicates in Sydney. The street value of the drugs seized is estimated to be over $9 million.
Both Nweke and the 24-year-old runner appeared in Bankstown Local Court on July 12. Nweke was denied bail, while the runner faced court on the same day as his arrest.
