Raptor Squad officers have arrested three people following an investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs and firearms in Maitland under Strike Force Stranraer.
Strike Force Stranraer was established in May 2023 by State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad to investigate an organised crime syndicate believed to be operating in the Hunter Region.
Under the strike force to date, police have previously seized four firearms and 1.2kg of methylamphetamine, 113g of MDMA, and 28g of cocaine; the drugs estimated to have a combined street value of approximately $640,000.
Following extensive inquiries, about 11.45am today (Thursday 26 October 2023), strike force officers arrested three people at a shopping centre in Green Hills.
Simultaneously, search warrants were executed at seven locations across the region in East Maitland, Maitland, Metford, Rutherford, West Ryde, Merrylands West and Warwick Farm.
During the searches, police located $200,000 in cash, a loaded firearm, a Porsche 718 Boxter, Toyota Hilux and BMW x6 M Series, and 9kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of $272,000.
The items were seized to undergo further forensic examination.
A 42-year-old woman and two men, aged 31 and 20, were taken to Maitland Police Station where they are expected to be charged with drug and firearm offences.
It is expected they will be refused bail to appear in Maitland Local Court tomorrow (Friday 27 October 2023).
Police will allege the three people were involved in the supply of firearms and drugs to Organised Crime Networks (OCN).
Investigations under Strike Force Stranraer continue.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators 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.
