Two men, including one with a suitcase containing more than 16 kilograms of ice, were arrested in Sydney on Wednesday.
That sparked a series of raids across Sydney's inner suburbs and the discovery of a secret methamphetamine lab and $1.5 million in cash at a house near Sydney airport.
Another 50kg of methamphetamine hidden in industrial plastic rolls was found at a nearby property, as well as 100 litres of GBL - a commonly used date-rape drug that converts to GHB in the body.
The two men, aged 36 and 41, were charged with commercial drug importation and large commercial drug supply.
The older man was also charged with using a weapon to prevent lawful detention and assaulting a police officer.
Both men were refused bail and are set to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on November 15.
A 37-year-old man arrested at the makeshift drug lab was charged with two counts of drug supply and knowingly allowing their home to be used as drug premises.
He was refused bail and is set to appear at Newtown Local Court on September 29.
The operation then moved interstate, with police raiding properties in Western Australia and Queensland.
Seven kilograms of methamphetamine, more than $250,000 in cash, watches and jewellery valued at about $150,000 and a small amount of cocaine was found at an industrial unit and serviced apartments in Perth's northern suburbs.
Two men – aged 32 and 34 – were arrested at the industrial unit and have been charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of methamphetamine and dealing in the proceeds of crime.
They were refused bail with both to appear before Perth Magistrates Court on Friday morning.
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