Seven men have been charged with drug offences following two separate investigations into the ongoing supply of cocaine in the Byron Bay area.
In October 2020, officers attached to the Northern Region North Coast Region Enforcement Squad (RES) commenced Strike Force Kelly and Strike Force Tulipa to investigate the supply of cocaine in the Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Bangalow area.
Following extensive inquiries, about 1pm on Thursday 22 April 2021, strike force investigators – with assistance from officers at Tweed/Byron and Richmond Police Districts and other specialist resources – executed four search warrants at a Byron Bay business and at homes in Byron Bay, Bangalow and Mullumbimby.
During these warrants, police located and seized approximately 340 grams of cocaine, more than $25,000 cash and other proceeds of crime.
In total, seven men were arrested during the warrants and taken to local police stations.
Three 30-year-old men were all arrested at a Bangalow property. One was charged with 17 offences including supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis and supply indictable quantity prohibited drug, while the other two were charged with supply indictable quantity prohibited drug.
Two were refused bail to appear at Ballina Local Court on Friday 23 April 2021, where one was formally bail refused to next appear at Byron Bay Local Court on Monday 21 June 2021 and the other was bail refused to appear at Byron Bay Local Court today (Monday 10 May 2021).
The third man was granted conditional bail to appear at Byron Bay Local Court on Monday 24 May 2021.
A 32-year-old man was arrested at a Mullumbimby home. He was charged with 16 offences including supply commercial quantity prohibited drug and participate in a criminal group.
A 44-year-old man was arrested at a Mullumbimby home. He was charged with 10 offences including supply commercial quantity prohibited drug and knowingly direct activities of criminal group.
A second 44-year-old man was arrested at a Mullumbimby home. He was charged with supply indictable quantity prohibited drug and participate in a criminal group.
All three were refused bail to appear at Ballina Local Court on Friday 23 April 2021, where they were formally bail refused to face Byron Bay Local Court today (Monday 10 May 2021).
A 26-year-old man was arrested and charged with three offences, including intend as instrument of crime, money/property, possess prohibited drug and possess/attempt to prescribed restricted substance. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Byron Bay Local Court on Monday 24 May 2021.
Northern Region Operations Manager, Detective Acting Superintendent Greg Thomas APM, said these arrests will continue to impact the availability of illicit drugs on the streets of Byron Bay.
“The Far North Coast is continually becoming increasingly popular with domestic tourists, and it is our job to ensure locals and visitors feel safe in our holiday towns.
“These arrests continue to disrupt the supply chain of cocaine and other illicit substances to the Far North Coast community, and we will continue to put those who wish to introduce harmful substances before the courts,” Det A/Supt Thomas said.
Investigations under both Strike Force Kelly and Strike Force Tulipa are ongoing, anyone with information which could assist strike force investigators is urged to come forward.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
