A week-long proactive strategy targeting the supply of heroin and ice on Sydney’s North Shore has wrapped up with a high-visibility policing operation.
North Shore Police Area Command initiated Strike Force Punnet in April this year due to concerns about the supply of illegal drugs – specifically heroin and ice – in the local community.
Following extensive investigations, officers executed three search warrants at properties at Artarmon last week (Tuesday 30 June 2020), seizing methylamphetamine (ice), heroin, cannabis, cannabis seeds under cultivation, pills, a replica pistol, a slingshot, bank cards, mobile phones, SIM cards, and more than $4000 cash. Five people were charged and remain before the courts.
This week’s actions focused on the resolution phase, with local police being assisted by officers from units including the Mounted Police, Police Transport Command, and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command combining in the high-visibility operation.
The local public transport system was patrolled, while integrated random drug and alcohol testing sites were established.
The resolution phase of the operation – which saw 91 police deployed into the field – ended Wednesday 8 July 2020, with results including:
- 11 people arrested
- seven charges laid
- three cannabis cautions
- three Juvenile cautions
- one person charged following random drug test
- 25 rail infringements
- three criminal infringement notices (CINs) given
- two street offences detected
- six drug possess / supply offences detected
- 11 information reports obtained
- 34 business owners / managers spoken to, and,
- 300 letter drops of information pamphlets conducted.
North Shore Police Area Command Duty Officer, Chief Inspector Brad Nuttall, said his officers had received positive feedback from the community since Strike Force Punnet was initiated.
“Strike Force Punnet is part of a strategic operation in Sydney’s northern suburbs to dismantle criminal networks involved in the supply of prohibited drugs in our community,” Det Ch Insp Jones said.
“The operation had a two-fold strategy: firstly, to detect, prevent and disrupt further drug-related offenders and, secondly, to engage with the community to instil confidence and encourage ongoing working relationships.
“We’ve been encouraged by the results achieved through the operation as well as the support our team has received from the community. We will continue to work together to clear the North Shore’s streets of heroin and ice,” he said.
Investigations into the supply of illicit drugs on the North Shore is ongoing.
Anyone with information about drug supply within the community is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
