Fifty-five people have been charged following a targeted police operation by investigators from Redfern Region Enforcement Squad (RES), into the supply and distribution of cocaine and illicit drugs across Sydney.
In September 2017, detectives from Redfern RES established Strike Force Northrop to investigate and target the ongoing supply of cocaine within the Central Metropolitan Region.
Investigations under Strike Force Northrop took place on six nights over three weeks in May, with assistance from Surry Hills, Sydney City, Kings Cross, Eastern Suburbs and Eastern Beaches Police Area Commands, and the Dog Unit.
During the operation, officers seized more than 290 grams of cocaine, 13 grams of MDMA, 110 grams of cannabis and $63,000 cash, charged 28 people with drug supply and charged 27 people with drug possession.
Significant events include;
- Just before 9pm on Friday 10 May 2019, officers stopped and searched a vehicle on Ocean Street North, Bondi, locating cash, mobiles phones, more than 31 grams of cocaine and more than 11 grams of MDMA. The 35-year-old male driver and 38-year-old male passenger were both arrested and charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug indictable quantity, supply prohibited drug, and deal with proceeds of crime. The pair were granted conditional bail and will appear at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday 11 June 2019.
- About 4.45pm on Saturday 11 May 2019, police stopped and searched a black BMW on Glenmore Road, Paddington, locating more than 17 grams of cocaine and $4200 cash. The driver, a 29-year-old woman, was arrested and charged with supply prohibited drug indictable quantity, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and possess prohibited drug. She was granted conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 7 June 2019.
- About 6.40pm on Saturday 11 May 2019, police located 20 grams of cocaine in a hidden compartment of a silver Volkswagen Passat, and more than $2400 cash after stopping the vehicle at the intersection of Dolphin Street and Hill Street, Coogee. The driver, a 21-year-old man, was arrested and charged with supply prohibited drug indictable quantity, supply prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, and possess prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail and will appear at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday 26 June 2019.
- About 7.20pm on Saturday 11 May 2019, officers stopped a white Kia on Denham Street, near the intersection of Bondi Road, Bondi. Police searched the vehicle and located more than $22,000 cash, concealed in envelopes in the front glove box and boot. Officers also seized an amount of illicit drugs believed to be cocaine and cannabis in a hidden compartment, mobile phones and documents. The 30-year-old female driver and 26-year-old female passenger were arrested and charged with supply prohibited drug indictable quantity, supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. The pair were granted conditional bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday 11 June 2019.
- About 8.40pm on Saturday 11 May 2019, police located more than 15 grams of cocaine concealed in sports socks and more than $1990 cash, after stopping a blue Holden sedan at the intersection of Castlefield Street and Bondi Road, Bondi. The male driver and passenger – both 19-years-old – were charged with supply prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug indictable quantity, and deal with property proceeds of crime. The driver was granted conditional bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday 11 June 2019. The passenger was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Sunday 12 May 2019, where he was formally refused bail. He has since appeared at Waverley Local Court on Wednesday 15 May 2019 and will reappear at the same court on Wednesday 5 June 2019.
- About 8.15pm on Friday 17 May 2019, officers stopped a vehicle on Bondi Road, Bondi. Police will allege that cash and more than 35 grams of cocaine were located in the car and concealed on the 25-year-old female driver. She was charged with supply prohibited drug indictable quantity, supply prohibited drug, and deal with proceeds of crime. The woman was granted conditional bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday 18 June 2019.
- Just before 11.30pm on Friday 24 May 2019, police stopped a Mitsubishi Lancer on Oxford Street, near the intersection of Williams Street, Paddington. The 30-year-old male passenger was arrested after police located prohibited drugs concealed under his clothes, and $500 cash. He was taken to Waverley Police Station where he was charged with supply prohibited drug indictable quantity, and deal with property proceeds of crime. The man was granted conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 28 June 2019. The 44-year-old female driver was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice (FCAN) for possess prohibited drug.
Redfern Region Enforcement Squad Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell, said the arrests are testament to the hard work of police.
“Strike Force Northrop detectives will continue to investigate and target those in the community that continue to participate in illegal drug-related activity,” Det Ch Insp Bell said.
“These illicit substances are incredibly dangerous, and we will do everything we can to remove them from the streets of Sydney.
“Police do not want to see any more drug-related deaths and it is disappointing to see so many people putting other’s lives at risk through the sale and distribution of these drugs.
“If anyone in the community has information about the supply of prohibited drugs, please contact Crime Stoppers immediately,” Det Ch Insp Bell said.
Investigations under Strike Force Northrop are continuing.
