They are the chemicals used to make synthetic cannabis whose impossibly long names are accompanied by short, sharp warnings.
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“Not for human or veterinary use,” cautions the manufacturer of FAKB-48 and XLR-11 (their shortened monikers), “this product is intended for research and forensic applications.”
Yet despite the obvious risk, police allege both these substances were the crucial ingredients found in more than 10kgs worth of human-made pot seized in a car at Appin last August.
The vehicle stop was not a random one – it was the carefully planned crescendo to a seven-month police operation targeting the large-scale supply of synthetic cannabis in south-west Sydney and the Illawarra.
Police claim the car’s driver, Peter Algie, was the kingpin in the $1.3m drug syndicate. He was one of seven arrested in connection with Strike Force Sodki that month.
Now, six months later, police have turned their attention closer to home, alleging Wollongong tobacconist Anthony Cappetta played a crucial role in the syndicate.
Cappetta was arrested at his Piccadilly Centre business on Thursday afternoon and charged with commercial drug supply and participating in a criminal group.
Documents tendered to Wollongong Local Court claim Cappetta acted as the middle man between Algie and one of his manufacturers and was also the one who supplied Algie with the 10kg of synthetic pot that eventually resulted in his arrest.
Cappetta sought release on bail on Friday, with his family agreeing to put up $10,000 to ensure he complied with any bail conditions imposed.
Prosecutors opposed the application on account of the seriousness of the charge.
In a statement to the court, investigating police claimed Cappetta’s actions showed his “total disregard for the safety of the community”.
"Both the drug types are listed as extremely dangerous, with warnings from the manufacturer of the chemicals that they are 'not for human or veterinary use',” the officers wrote.
“Police believe that the quantity [of synthetic cannabis] that was seized from Algie was potentially a dangerous risk to any user or the illicit drug."
In asking for bail to be refused, the officers also referenced the recent death of Newcastle teen Dean Shield, who it is believed ingested a bad batch of synthetic cannabis just hours before he was found lying unresponsive in a laneway.
Magistrate Michael Stoddart refused Cappetta’s bail application, noting the prosecution case against him appeared strong and if convicted, he would face a lengthy prison sentence.
The case will return to court in April.