A man has been extradited from Queensland to face a NSW court charged with commercial drug supply.
In May 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor South established Strike Force Brechin to investigate criminal networks and the supply of prohibited drugs in the Illawarra region.
As a result of inquiries, three search warrants were executed at Bellambi, Mangerton and Mount Kiera last Friday (16 August 2019).
During the operation two men – aged 26 and 30 – were arrested and charged. They remain before the courts.
Following further inquiries, a 31-year-old man wanted on an outstanding warrant was arrested by the Australian Federal Police at Brisbane International Airport after he returned to Australia about 10.30pm last Friday.
Investigators from Strike Force Raptor South travelled to Queensland and applied for and were granted the man’s extradition to NSW at Brisbane Magistrates Court today (Monday 19 August 2019).
The man was escorted by police to Tweed Heads Police Station and charged with the outstanding warrant for supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
Police will allege in court that the man supplied nearly 500g of cocaine and 30g of MDMA in the Illawarra region between May and July 2019.
He was refused bail to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court today (Monday 19 August 2019).
Investigations under Strike Force Brechin are continuing.
Strike Force Raptor was established in 2009 and conducts proactive investigations and intelligence-based, high-impact policing operations to prevent and disrupt conflicts, and dismantle any network engaged in serious organised criminal activity.
Anyone with information, including relevant photos and videos, that may assist Strike Force Raptor can report it directly to investigators via the Strike Force Raptor online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/Default.aspx?id=49 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information provided to investigators will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
