An additional three people have been charged as part of an ongoing drug operation, which dismantled a large-scale syndicate operating in the Illawarra.
In July 2025, officers attached to Southern Region Enforcement Squad and State Crime Command – with assistance from the NSW Crime Commission, Australia Federal Police, and Australian Border Force – established Strike Force Mokine to investigate the organised supply of prohibited drugs in the Illawarra region.
Following extensive investigations, strike force members – with assistance from officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District, South Coast Police District, The Hume Police District, Southern Region High Risk Offenders Team, Wollongong Police District, Dog Unit, State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad and Organised Crime Squad – executed a total of 25 search warrants on Tuesday 23 June 2026 and yesterday (Wednesday 24 June 2026) across the Lake Illawarra and South Coast regions.
Nine people were arrested on Tuesday and remain before the courts.
Yesterday ( Wednesday 24 June 2026), nine search warrants were executed across the Lake Illawarra and South Coast Police Districts.
An additional three men, aged 35, 38 and 50 were arrested in North Nowra, Sussex Inlet and Port Kembla.
More than 300grams of ketamine, 2 gel blasters and prohibited weapons including Tasers and flick knives, were among items seized by Police.
Notable incidents include;
About 8.30am yesterday ( Wedensday 24 June 2025), strike force officers executed a search warrant at a home in Wentworth St, Port Kembla. Police allegedly seized drug paraphernalia, drugs including MDMA, fentanyl, methylamphetamine, cocaine and Cannabis. Police also allegedly seized $1650 cash, which they will allege were the proceeds of crime. Police arrested a 50-year-old man and he was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station. He was charged with eight offences – two counts of possess prohibited drug, possess drugs of addiction not at pharmacy premises, two counts of supply prohibited drug greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug greater than small and less than or equal to indictable quantity, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit and deal with proceeds of indictable crime-money of any value. He was refused bail to apper in Bail Division Court 3 today ( Thursday 25 June 2026).
About 9am yesterday (Wednesday 24 June 2026), strike force officers executed a search warrant at a home on Sussex Inlet Road, Sussex Inlet. Officers allegedly seized drugs, including 325 grams of Ketamine – with an estimated street value of $85,000. A 38-year-old man was arrested and taken to Nowra Police Station. He was charged with two counts supply prohibited drug more than indictable and less than commercial quantity, three counts possess prohibited drug and possess / attempt to, prescribed restricted substance. He was given conditional bail to appear before Nowra Local Court on Thursday 23 July 2026.
About 11.20am yesterday (Tuesday 24 June 2026), Australian Federal Police Officers arrested a 35-year-old man. He was charged with possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and was granted conditional bail to appear in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday 28 July 2026.
Strike Force Mokine continues.
