Two women have been charged with judicial offences identified during the course of an investigation into the alleged murder of a man in the Illawarra last year.
Police and emergency services were called to Carr Parade, Unanderra, about 2.15am on Wednesday 14 February 2018, following reports of a drive-by shooting.
On arrival, officers from Lake Illawarra Police District found a man suffering a gunshot wound and conducted CPR until NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived; however, the man died at the scene.
The man was formally identified as 33-year-old local, Nathan Costello.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad and Lake Illawarra Police District established Strike Force Gangele to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
A 33-year-old man has previously been charged over the alleged murder. He remains before the courts.
Their inquiries also uncovered links to an alleged drug supply syndicate operating in the Lake Illawarra area.
As part of those inquiries, investigators conducted a Firearms Prohibition Order (FPO) search at a home at Barrack Heights on Thursday 26 April 2018, during which a 31-year-old woman was present.
Following further inquiries, the woman was arrested at Lake Illawarra Police Station about 11.15am on Tuesday 22 October 2019.
She was charged with do act intending to pervert the course of justice and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
Police will allege in court that the woman assisted an occupant of the premises, who it is alleged had possession of ammunition, firearm parts and stolen property.
The Dapto woman was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Wollongong Local Court today (Tuesday 12 November 2019).
A second woman, aged 37, was arrested at Lake Illawarra Police Station the following day (Wednesday 23 October 2019).
She was charged with supply prohibited drug, hinder apprehension person who committed serious offence, do act intending to pervert the course of justice, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
Police will allege in court that the woman assisted a man to avoid police on Wednesday 26 September 2018.
It’s further alleged that the woman was involved in the supply of ice in the Illawarra area.
The Barrack Heights woman was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday 4 December 2019.
Investigations are continuing, and further arrests are expected.
Police are urging anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Gangele detectives to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/
Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our social media pages.
