A Nigerian awaiting deportation from Australia has been charged with running an alleged drug ring from inside Sydney’s Villawood Immigration Detention Centre.
Dirichukwu Patrick Nweke, 49, was arrested on July 11 at the facility where police allegedly seized three mobile phones. He was later charged with two counts of supply indictable quantity of prohibited drug, supply large commercial quantity of prohibited drug and direct criminal group.
NSW Police allege Nweke was using an encrypted messaging service to deal large quantities of methylamphetamine from inside the detention centre, and had established a network of runners who he coordinated and tasked to carry out drug deals on his behalf.
Police said they previously seized 2kg of meth and $169,000 in cash linked to the syndicate, and on July 24 executed a search warrant in the multicultural suburb of Liverpool in Sydney’s west.
“During the search, police located 750g of methylamphetamine and 90g of heroin in a toilet bowl, in what police will allege was an attempt to dispose of the drugs,” police said in a statement.
“A further 90g of heroin was found on the bathroom floor.
“Police also located and seized $325,000 in cash and a Dedicated Encrypted Criminal Communication Device.”
A man, 24, was arrested and charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug greater then indictable and equal large commercial quantity, deal with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000, deal with property proceeds of crime equal or greater than $100,000, and participate criminal group contribute criminal.
Police will allege he worked as a runner for Nweke.
Nweke was refused bail and appeared in Bankstown Local Court on July 12, while the alleged runner faced court on the same day as his arrest.
Australian Border Force commander Budhy Tandd told the Saturday Telegraph the immigration detention population has high proportion of criminals, including those who have been jailed for serious offences.
“A prison-like culture has developed within the immigration detention system, with standover tactics often used,” he said.
“There has been a significant infiltration of illicit drugs into the system and alcohol abuse – through the use of alcoholic home brew kits – is also common.
“As such, there has been a notable increase in substance-related incidents and regular threats and acts of violence against detainees, staff and contractors.”
