NSW Police have charged two men over the alleged supply of firearms and prohibited drugs and located 12kg of MDMA, 2kg of cocaine, a pistol and $250,000 cash from inside a dishwasher.
In January this year, detectives attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District established Strike Force Shipley to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs and firearms across the state’s Central Coast.
Enquiries revealed criminal activity relating to the supply of MDMA and cocaine, as well as the supply of illegal guns across Sydney and the state’s north.
Subsequently, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad established Strike Force Meegan to investigate similar criminal activities being conducted out of Western Sydney.
Following extensive inquiries, investigators from Tuggerah Lakes Police District arrested a 34-year-old man at a carpark on St Johns Road, Jilliby, about 10am yesterday (Thursday 25 June 2020).
He was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with 28 offences including;
- Unlawfully sell firearms 3 times or more within 12 months,
- supply pistol to person unauthorised to possess it (x5),
- supply unregistered firearm – pistol (x5),
- supply prohibited firearm to unauthorised person (x2),
- supply unregistered firearm – prohibited firearm (x2),
- supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis,
- supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity x4),
- supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity x4),
- supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity),
- supply cannabis (indictable quantity x3).
It will be alleged in court that the man supplied firearms – including pistols and semi-automatic assault rifles – and prohibited drugs across NSW.
The Wadalba man was refused bail to appear at Wyong Local Court today (Friday 26 June 2020).
About 11.15am yesterday (Thursday 25 June 2020), detectives from the Drug and Firearms Squad attended a hotel at Reservoir Road, Arndell Park, and spoke with a 33-year-old man.
During a subsequent search of the man’s vehicle, officers located and seized an amount of MDMA and cocaine, as well as $10,000 cash.
The vehicle was seized and will undergo forensic examination.
The man allegedly attempted to resist police before he was arrested and taken to Blacktown Police Station.
Shortly after the arrest, strike force investigators, with assistance from the North West Operations Support Group (OSG), executed two search warrants at units at Blacktown and Toongabbie.
During the searches, officers seized more than 2kg of cocaine, 12kg of MDMA, about 2kg of cannabis, an amount of methylamphetamine (ice) and equipment consistent with the supply of prohibited drugs.
Detectives also seized a loaded pistol, ammunition, a flick knife, a money counting machine, mobile phones and documentation.
A further $250,000 cash was located in a dishwasher at the Blacktown property and seized.
All items will undergo forensic examination.
The Toongabbie man was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), supply unregistered firearm (prohibited firearm), resist officer in execution of duty, possess unregistered firearm (pistol), not keep firearm safely (pistol) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
Police will allege in court that the man was involved in the supply of prohibited firearms and large-scale supply of prohibited drugs across NSW.
He was refused bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court today (Friday 26 June 2020).
Drug and Firearms Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Watson, said police are actively targeting individuals and criminal groups selling firearms across the state.
“The results of this operation can be directly attributed to the collaboration between strike force investigators from Tuggerah Lakes Police District and the Drug and Firearms Squad,” Det Supt Watson said.
“Police and the community know just how devastating guns can be in the wrong hands and we will continue to target anyone responsible for engaging in this type of dangerous criminal activity.
“NSW Police support safe and legal firearm ownership and those involved in sourcing and supplying prohibited firearms should be warned – you will be investigated and put before the courts,” Det Supt Watson said.
Tuggerah Lakes Police District Commander, Superintendent John Gralton, said yesterday’s operation has taken an alleged illegal firearms supplier off the streets.
“During this investigation, police have uncovered a sophisticated criminal enterprise responsible for the large-scale supply of guns and drugs across the state’s Central Coast,” Supt Gralton said.
“We will be alleging these men were involved in selling pistols, semi-automatic assault rifles and automatic weapons – which is of great concern to NSW Police.
“The community should rest assured that local investigators, together with specialist police, will keep up the fight against anyone who can profit from the destruction of other people’s lives,” Supt Gralton said.
Investigations are continuing.
Anyone with information about the supply of prohibited drugs and firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
