Eight people have been charged and a major drug syndicate dismantled following a seven-month investigation into drug supply on the Central Coast.
In November 2018, police attached to Brisbane Water Police District established Strike Force Basic to investigate the supply of methylamphetamine in Woy Woy and the surrounding areas.
Following extensive inquiries by strike force detectives, three search warrants were executed at Woy Woy and Umina in February, May and June, and two Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) searches were conducted at Woy Woy yesterday (Thursday 4 July 2019); a total of eight people have been charged during the course of the investigation.
A 46-year-old man has been refused bail to appear in Gosford Local Court today (Friday 5 July 2019), after being charged with 23 counts of supply prohibited drug. He has also been charged with additional supply charges including supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis.
Other charges include:
· A 67-year-old man has been charged with supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, possess shortened firearm (not pistol) without authority (x2), possess unauthorised firearm, supply prohibited drug greater than indictable quantity (x2), possess ammunition without holding licence, organises/conducts/assists drug premises, possess prohibited drug (x3) and deal with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000. He was refused bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Friday 26 July 2019.
· A 53-year-old woman has been charged with supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug commercial quantity and organises/conducts/assists drug premises. She was refused bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Friday 26 July 2019.
· A 25-year-old woman has been charged with possess prohibited drug (x2), possess/attempt to prescribed restricted substance (x2), possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, supply prohibited drug less than small quantity (x7), deal with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000 (x2) and supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis. She was refused bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Friday 28 June, where she was refused bail again to appear at the same court on Friday 9 August 2019.
· A 38-year-old man has been charged with supply unregistered firearm (x3), supply prohibited drug greater than indictable quantity (x6), unlawfully sell firearms three times or more within 12-months, supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, supply prohibited drug greater than commercial quantity and possess unregistered/prohibited firearm. He was refused bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Friday 23 August 2019.
· A 19-year-old man has been charged with supply prohibited drug less than small quantity (x5) and supply prohibited drug greater than small quantity. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Thursday 11 July 2019.
· A 40-year-old man has been charged with supply unregistered firearm and possess unregistered firearm. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Gosford Local Court on Thursday 18 July 2019.
· A 40-year-old man has been charged with supply prohibited drug greater than indictable quantity. He was granted conditional bail to face Gosford Local Court on Thursday 15 August 2019.
Strike Force Basic officers have also seized more than 1kg of methylamphetamine, along with heroin, several firearms, a baton, motor vehicles, jewellery and cash.
Brisbane Water Police District Commander, Superintendent Tony Joice, said the arrests are the result of several months of dedicated investigate work.
“The results of this operation are a testament to the work of officers as a part of our continued effort to target the drug supply chain.
“We see the devastating impact drugs have in our community and we will continue to work closely with other police districts to dismantle drug syndicates.
“If you have information about the supply of illicit drugs, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” Superintendent Joice said.
Investigations are ongoing.
