Daughter, 3, present during drug deal: police

A man has been charged with drug offences after allegedly supplying 'ice' to another man while his three-year-old daughter was present.Police have warned of the risk of explosions associated with clandestine drug laboratories after the 59-year-old man was arrested in Appin yesterday.Detectives from Strike Force Orroroo, comprising detectives from the State Crime Command's Drug Squad and Shoalhaven police, allegedly watched the man supply methamphetamine to another 59-year-old man with his child in tow.They allegedly intercepted the exchange and seized an amount of drugs and cash before arresting both men."Of particular concern to police is the presence of young children at locations where alleged drug-related crime is being conducted," Drug Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Nick Bingham said."Locations where drugs are being illegally manufactured or supplied are no place for children."A short time after the first arrest a 61-year-old man was arrested on the Princes Hwy at Nowra, while a 65-year-old man was arrested later in the day at a caravan park at Myola, near Huskisson.Detectives also conducted a series raids on properties in southern Sydney and the South Coast yesterday afternoon.Five search warrants were executed at locations including Wilton Rd at Wilton, Hatfield Rd at Canley Heights, Sanctuary Point Rd at Sanctuary Point, Catherine St at Myola and a tourist/caravan park at Myola.At the Wilton address police allegedly uncovered a large clandestine laboratory used to manufacture methylamphetamine. During the operation detectives allegedly seized $100,000 and 1kg of methylamphetamine as well as a quantity of chemicals and drug manufacturing equipment. The 59-year-old man was charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, and manufacturing a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug. He was refused bail and will appear in Campbelltown Local Court today. The second 59-year-old man was charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and was refused bail to appear in Campbelltown Local Court today.The 61-year-old man has been charged with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and was refused bail to appear in Nowra Local Court today. The 65-year-old man was charged with being knowingly concerned with the supply of an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug and was granted police bail to appear at Nowra Local Court on January 11.The charges follow the arrest of a 32-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman at Goulburn on Wednesday after they were stopped by police allegedly on their way to South Australia. Supt Bingham said there were many dangers and health risks associated with clandestine laboratories."Drug manufacture involves the use of toxic chemicals which can prove hazardous especially when used in confined areas or where members of the public can be exposed," he said.