A man and woman have been charged following an investigation into the alleged ongoing supply of prohibited drugs in the state’s Illawarra region.
In August this year, officers attached to South East Region Enforcement Squad – with assistance from Wollongong Police District – established Strike Force Kimbricki to investigate the large commercial supply of methylamphetamine across the Illawarra, South Coast and regional NSW.
Following inquiries, investigators stopped a Ford Ranger utility on Wentworth Street, Port Kembla, just before 9.30am today (Thursday 16 December 2021).
The driver and passenger – a 53-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman both from Warilla– were arrested and taken to Oak Flats Police Station.
Shortly after, police executed search warrants at a home on Antrim Avenue, Warilla, and a business on Wentworth Street, Port Kembla, where they seized $3500 and $3600 respectively.
A further search warrant was executed at a storage unit on Rivulet Crescent, Albion Park Rail.
During the search, investigators seized more than $955,000 in Australian currency – believed to be the proceeds of crime – as well as almost 3.5kg of cannabis, a motorcycle and electronic devices.
The items seized will undergo forensic examination.
The man was charged with supply prohibited drug, three counts of supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity – serious indictable offence, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime – serious indictable offence.
The woman was charged with five counts of supply prohibited drug, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime – serious indictable offence.
Police will allege in court that between August and December this year, the man and woman supplied prohibited drugs, worth in excess of $1.6million.
Both were refused bail to appear before Wollongong Local Court tomorrow (Friday 17 December 2021).
Inquiries continue.
Anyone with information about Strike Force Kimbricki is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
