86 charges laid following four day high visibility operation – South Coast

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Police have laid 86 charges for offences including drug possession and break and enter during a four-day high-visibility operation on the South Coast.

From Wednesday 6 May 2026 to Saturday 9 May 2026, officers attached to Police Transport Command (PTC), with assistance from South Coast Police District, conducted Operation Savete, targeting retail theft, knife-related offences, bail-compliance checks, and to arrest wanted offenders.

Results from the four-day operation included,

56 arrests

86 charges (including property theft, break and enter, drug possession, knife possession, driving offences, breach of bail and outstanding warrants)

21 move-on directions issued

61 persons searches

21 Inspections relating to Failing to comply with reporting obligations (CPR) under the Child Protection (Offenders registration ) Act 2000

25 bail checks

17 warrant enquiries

56 RBTs conducted

16 business inspections

Incidents of note include,

About 4pm on Thursday 7 May 2025, plain-clothed officers attached to the Police Transport Command were patrolling Nowra CBD when they saw a man riding a bicycle without a helmet in Karmeruka Crescent. When officers searched the man they seized more than 4g of methylamphetamine and almost 30g of cannabis allegedly found in his backpack. The 53-year old man was issued with a court attendance notice for two counts of possess prohibited drug and will appear in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday 9 June 2026.

About 2pm on Friday 8 May 2026, plain-clothed officers attached to the Police Transport Command (PTC) were patrolling the Nowra CBD when they saw a man riding a bike with no helmet south on Kinghorne Street. The man allegedly told police he was in possession of a knife with police seizing a multi-tool containing three folding blades when searched.He was issued with a court attendance notice for custody of a knife in public place. He will appear in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday 16 June 2026.

About 1pm on Saturday 9 May 2025, plain-clothed officers were patrolling the Nowra CBD, when a 44-year-old woman was allegedly found with a bottle containing liquid GHB. She was issued with a court attendance notice for possess prohibited drug and will appear in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday 16 June 2026

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