What is Drug Manufacture?

You can be charged with drug manufacture if you produce or knowingly take part in the production or manufacture of a prohibited drug.

This includes participation in any step of the process, or providing a premises or finance.

Drug manufacture includes:

• Financing chemicals or equipment
• Assisting in the drug manufacture process, which can include operating stoves, disposing of rubbish, filling flasks with chemicals or water or undertaking any other tasks at the direction of the manufacturer
• Letting someone use premises for the manufacture of drugs, whether it is rented, leased or owned by you
  Drug manufacture does not include:
• Observation of the drug manufacture process without participating
• The transportation or acquisition of equipment or chemicals
• If you have the intention of manufacturing a prohibited drug but do not have the right chemicals to successfully do so
  The penalties for drug manufacture can be harsh, and depend on what drug type you were found guilty of manufacturing, how much of the drug was found, and whether your case is in the district or local court.

Here are the quantities and types of drug for the purposes of drug manufacture charges:

Drug Type/Quantity Categories

Drug Type	Small Quantity	Indictable Quantity	Commercial Quantity	Large Commercial Quantity
Ecstasy (MDMA)	0.25grams	1.25grams	125grams	500grams
Cocaine	1gram	5grams	250grams	1kg
Amphetamines	1gram	5grams	250grams	1kg
Heroin	1gram	5grams	250grams	1kg
Cannabis	30 grams	1kg	25kg	100kg

Here are the penalties for drug supply in NSW:

Maximum penalties:

Quantity Category	Local Court	District Court
Not more than Small Quantity	2 years prison and/or $5,500 fine	15 years prison and/or $220,000 fine
More than Small Quantity but not more than Indictable Quantity	2 years prison and/or $11,000 fine	15 years prison and/or $220,000 fine
More than Indictable Quantity but not more than Commercial Quantity	Not Applicable	15 years prison and/or $220,000 fine
Not less than Commercial Quantity but not more than Large Commercial Quantity	Not Applicable	20 years prison and/or $385,000 fine
Not less than Large Commercial Quantity	Not Applicable	Life imprisonment and/or $550,000 fine

If you are found guilty of producing a commercial quantity or more of a drug that is not cannabis, you will be facing a 10-year prison sentence without parole.