POLICE SHUT DOWN BUSH LAB

A bush drugs laboratory allegedly used to "cook" massive quantities of
amphetamines for interstate truckies has been shut down by NSW
police. Police arrested six men and a woman, including several long-haul
drivers.

They were charged with a series of offences yesterday.

Detectives allege the syndicate was capable of manufacturing $2 million
batches of methyl-amphetamines - commonly known as speed - every 12 hours.

Speed is used by many truckies to stay awake on long trips, an inquiry into
the industry was told last week.

One police officer posing as a truck driver infiltrated the trucking
industry for more than three months to discover how extensive the use of
amphetamines is in the industry.

Senior police said his investigations led to the shut-down of the drug
syndicate.

Police allege a small truck stop and adjoining house at Peak Hill, near
Parkes in the state's west, had for years been home to one of NSW's largest
suppliers of speed to the trucking industry.

They also allege there are several similar sites across the state where
truckers can buy drugs to keep them awake.

The Daily Telegraph reported two weeks ago that one in three truck drivers
were virtually forced to use speed to meet demanding schedules.

Drivers can be on the road for more than 84 hours without sleep.

As part of Operation Rantis, an officer posed as a truck driver and
allegedly bought several ounces of speed on four occasions from a driver
who visited the Peak Hill truck stop. Just after midnight yesterday 89
police officers swooped on the truck stop and house next door.

Two other searches were staged simultaneously in Victoria and Queensland.

As a result, three drivers and four truck stop operators appeared in court
yesterday charged with offences related to the manufacture and supply of
the drug.

"This speed was being made for truck drivers," Detective Superintendent Ken
MacKay from Crime Agencies said yesterday.

"We have shut down a major syndicate."

Two men, aged 50 and 33 from Peak Hill, were charged with manufacture and
supply of amphetamines.

They were refused bail in Parkes Local Court.

The older man's 18-year-old girlfriend was also refused bail for similar
charges.

A truck driver, 37, of Canberra, was charged with three counts of supplying
amphetamines. Supt Mackay said this man allegedly supplied drugs to the
undercover police officer.

A 55-year-old Wagga Wagga man was granted bail in Parkes Local Court
yesterday where he faced charges relating to the possession and supply of
amphetamines.