Three people have been arrested as part of investigations into an alleged drug supply operation in the state’s Illawarra region.
In July 2019, Strike Force Swany was established by the Southern Region Enforcement Squad to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Illawarra.
Following extensive investigations, strike force officers arrested a man and a woman over their alleged involvement in the supply of ‘ice’ throughout the region.
About 8am today (Wednesday 11 December 2019) a 26-year-old woman and 43-year-old man were arrested at a house in Koonawarra and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station.
Shortly after, strike force investigators executed two search warrants at homes in Koonawarra.
Officers located and seized drugs, weapons, cash, mobile phones and electronic surveillance equipment.
A third man – aged 25 – was arrested during a vehicle stop in Dapto last Wednesday (4 December 2019). He was charged with drug supply, possession and deal with proceeds of crime.
Officers executed a search warrant at the man’s house in Cordeaux Heights and seized drugs, mobile phones, cash, electronic storage devices and two vehicles.
The man has since been granted condition bail and is due to face Port Kembla Local Court on 8 January 2020.
Southern Region Enforcement Squad Detective Chief Inspector Joe Thone said local drug supply will take a big hit from today’s arrests.
“Ice is a poison that destroys families, and today two people involved in the supply of that poison have been taken off our streets,” Inspector Thone said.
“We will continue to disrupt and prevent the supply of illicit drugs to our community.”
The 43-year-old man was charged with supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity, two counts of supply prohibited drug, three counts of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis and two counts of organise/conduct/assist drug premises.
The 26-year-old woman was charged with operate drug premises, drug supply and knowingly take part in drug supply.
Both were refused bail to appear before Wollongong Local Court today (Wednesday 11 December 2019).
Police inquiries are continuing.
