New South Wales and ACT police have seized close to $15 million worth of illicit drugs, arresting 12 people as part of a major operation in the state's south.
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A two-year investigation into a major drug supply syndicate operating throughout southern NSW resulted in the arrest of three men and the seizure of nine kilograms of methylamphetamine in Gundagai on Wednesday morning.
Police raided 10 properties, including one in the Gungahlin suburb of Palmerston where a 40-year-old man was arrested.
He appeared in Queanbeyan Local Court on Wednesday charged with drug supply offences, and for knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Police also arrested a 46-year-old man at a home in Batemans Bay, charging him with drug supply offences, and for participating in a criminal group.
He was refused bail to appear in Narooma Local Court on Thursday.
More than 163 cannabis plants were seized from a home Georges Bass Drive in Malua Bay.
A loaded rifle, ammunition and cannabis seeds were seized at a property on Quort Pot Road in Buckenbowra.
An NSW Police spokesperson said officers also seized a number of vehicles, machines and documents during the search warrants.
More items are expected to be seized as additional search warrants are executed throughout NSW.
A 62-year-old man from East Lynne, a 63-year-old man from Malua Bay and a 40-year-old man, also from Malua Bay were all taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with numerous offences relating to the large commercial supply of prohibited drugs and participation in a criminal group.
The trio were refused bail and will return to Wagga Wagga Local Court on Thursday.
Drug Squad commander Detective Superintendent Tony Cooke said the arrests and seizures would disrupt the illicit drug trade around southern NSW.
“We will allege in court that there had been a major syndicated operation in the supply of drugs to numerous communities throughout the south of the state, and we are confident yesterday’s arrests will seriously disrupt the syndicate’s activity,” Detective Superintendent Cooke said.
“This has been a tremendous example of the cooperation which exists between State Crime detectives, local area police and specialist officers right across the state, ensuring it is not easy for drug dealings to happen in any town in NSW,” Detective Superintendent Cooke said.
Far South Coast Local Area Commander Superintendent Peter O’Brien said drugs can ravage entire NSW communities.
“Anyone who is involved in the production, distribution or sale of illicit drugs deserves to be put behind bars, and we will continue to do everything we can to gets drugs – and the people who deal them – out of our communities.”
