THREE men are behind bars charged in connection to a huge police drug sting spanning from the Hunter Valley through New England to the coast.
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Two men were arrested near Armidale on allegations of manufacturing and supplying a large commercial quantity of drugs - charges that carry life behind bars, if convicted.
Another man from the Hunter Valley is also in custody on a charge of commercial drug supply.
A 45-year-old Murrurundi man and 47-year-old Billys Creek were arrested by police from the strike force, along with highway patrol officers, on Waterfall Way at Ebor, late on August 14.
Police stopped the Nissan ute the men were in about 5pm before questioning and pair and searching the ute.
Inside, police claim they uncovered a quantity of methylamphetamine, ammunition and chemicals used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs.
The men were taken to Armidale police station and questioned by police before the 45-year-old was charged with manufacturing a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs; while the 47-year-old Billys Creek man was charged with manufacturing and supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs.
Both fronted Tamworth Local Court last week where they were refused bail to front court again on Monday.
As the men were being questioned, police moved on a Murrurundi home and raided the property.
There they allege they uncovered a clandestine lab, which was later dismantled after being combed by forensic police.
On August 15, a 42-year-old Aberdeen man was arrested at Muswellbrook police station and charged with manufacturing a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs. He's been denied bail to front court again in October.
Last week, the strike force raided two more properties, this time at Billy Creek.
Police from the Coffs/Clarence Target Action Group, Northern and Western Region Operational Support Group officers and AFP officers executed search warrants on August 20 and uncovered goods connected to their drug supply investigation, they said.
Police said they seized glassware used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs; and about 1kg of what they allege is dried cannabis.
Officers also said about 10 litres of chemicals which they claim is either prohibited drugs or precursors used in their manufacture, was also seized and will undergo forensic testing.
Detective Chief Inspector Guy Flaherty said the arrests will impact the supply of methylamphetamine across the Coffs, Hunter Valley and New England areas.
"We will be alleging this illegal activity not only affected the Coffs Coast area, their connections also stemmed into our Hunter Valley and New England regions," he said.
"Through fantastic collaborative work and information sharing with our neighbouring police districts, we have been able to interrupt a cross-region drug network of both manufacture and supply.
Police said investigations are continuing and more arrests are expected.
Strike Force Delisle was launched in May this year by detectives from the Coffs/Clarence Police District's Firearm and Drug Unit to home in on those involved in the manufacture and supply of prohibited drugs in the Coffs Coast and Hunter Valley regions.