Eric Winner, 32, was a member of a Hunter drug syndicate that was flooding Abermain with ice until it was smashed by Strike Force Oleria detectives in December, 2016. 

Winner, who was represented by barrister Bill Hussey and solicitor Drew Hamilton, was on Friday jailed for a maximum of nine years and seven months, with a non-parole period of five years and seven months after pleading guilty to two counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and manufacturing a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.  

Each offence carries a maximum penalty of life in jail.

Winner was involved in sourcing half a kilogram of methylamphetamine for alleged syndicate head Kirt Wayne Griffiths for a price of $82,000 in November, 2016, according to an agreed statement of facts.

The 32-year-old was also tasked with “washing” or refining poor quality methylamphetamine in a manufacturing process at a home in Abermain.   

Winner and Mr Griffiths were among seven people arrested by Strike Force Oleria detectives during six simultaneous raids at homes in Abermain, Weston and Chisholm in December, 2016. 

A search of Winner’s home revealed more than a kilogram of methylamphetamine, with varying purity levels, a pill press and four different types of steroids. 

Central Hunter Drug Unit detectives launched Stirke Force Oleria in October, 2016, to investigate the alleged ongoing supply of ice by Mr Griffiths out of a house in Charles Street, Abermain. 

Police also allege that Mr Griffiths was using another property in Charles Street as a safe house to store drugs and cash.

That home was occupied by another syndicate member, Shaun Redshaw, who was last year jailed for a maximum of two years, with a non-parole period of eight months for his role in the drug ring. 

Mr Griffiths allegedly recruited Winner to help him “wash” or refine a large quantity of methylamphetamine in a bid to reduce the “impurities” of the drug. 

The pair allegedly completed the manufacturing process in the kitchen of an Abermain home on November 27, 2016.

The next day Winner allegedly sourced half a kilogram of methylamphetamine for Mr Griffiths for the price of $82,000. 

Winner, who has been in custody since he was arrested during the raids, will be eligible for parole in July, 2022. 

Mr Griffiths will next appear in Newcastle Local Court on March 28 when he is expected to be committed to Newcastle District Court. 

He also faces the prospects of life in jail after being charged with two counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and one of manufacturing a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug.

Other syndicate members remain before the courts.