Three of the four men arrested after police raided a Yass property and found an estimated $9 million of cocaine have appeared in court wearing blue forensic coveralls.
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The men appeared in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday following their arrest on Tuesday after the NSW Police raid, which found 30 kilograms of cocaine, chemicals used to make drugs, cash and mobile phones.
![Four men were arrested after NSW Police executed a search warrant on a Yass home on Tuesday. Picture: NSW Police Media Four men were arrested after NSW Police executed a search warrant on a Yass home on Tuesday. Picture: NSW Police Media](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/SXxisSeUazLQeUK4SswLry/5be31b09-bea6-433e-9405-3191b704bda5.jpg/r0_0_1140_960_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Jordan David Stephens, 19, David Quang Dung Pham, 35, and John Capistran Le, 40, are each charged with supply and manufacturing a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.
Also charged was Esteban Ricardo Forero Gomez, 25, a Spanish national, who requires a translator for his court appearance and will go before the magistrate late on Wednesday.
A distraught family told the youngest of the four men, Mr Stephens, to "stay strong" when he appeared in the dock.
Mr Stephens' disposable coverall was ripped on the right arm and underarm.
No applications were made for bail and bail was formally refused for all three men.
Mr Gomez's solicitor Sam Rowland said his client wouldn't receive bail as he was too much of "a flight risk."
The police prosecutor asked for a special 12-week adjournment of the matters to August 28 to allow police time to investigate the scientific material allegedly found inside the drug lab.
Further charges were expected to be laid in that time, the police prosecutor said.
Police on Wednesday continued to dismantle the drug lab inside the Yass property where they allegedly found 30 kilograms of cocaine, several chemicals used to make drugs, Australian and European cash and mobile phones.
Sergeant David Cowell of Yass Police Station said he expected it would take all of Wednesday for police to dismantle the set up.
The property remains an active crime scene, and police are yet to name the hotel where the four men were arrested.
The police raid was part of Strike Force Judy, an investigation into the manufacture and supply of cocaine and methylamphetamine, also known as the drug ice.
Drug and firearms squad commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Jayne Doherty commended the work of police.
"We've seen the effects these prohibited drugs in regional areas and how it can wreak havoc on communities," she said.
"We are committed to removing these toxic substances from our streets, no matter where in NSW drug peddlers seek to make a profit off others' misery."
Investigations are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Judy is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on1800 333 000 or through https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
- with Andrew Brown