PLEASE NOTE: NSWPF-branded footage of the items seized are available via Hightail – https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/M4Wjo7qXEB
Two alleged OMCG members have been charged with drug and firearm related offences following an investigation by Raptor Squad South.
In November 2023, Raptor Squad South – with assistance from Lake Illawarra and South Coast Police Districts – commenced an investigation into an OMCG’s involvement in the cultivation and supply of cannabis across the South Coast.
About 10.40am yesterday (Thursday 7 December 2023), officers attended an address in Koonawarra which they believed was being used as a hydroponic house.
During a search of the address, police located a sophisticated cannabis hydroponic set up including four rooms dedicated to growing cannabis and a number of drying beds.
Police located approximately 35 cannabis plants, 2kg on cannabis bud/leaf, 41 heat lamps and 41 transformers. All items were seized for further forensic examination.
A short time later, officers executed a warrant at Greenwell Point where they located and seized 42g of amphetamine, 5g of MDMA, $31,465 in cash and Fourth Reich paraphernalia.
During the search, a 48-year-old man attended the property and was placed under arrest.
The man was taken to Nowra Police Station where he was charged with two counts of enhanced indoor cultivate cannabis for commercial purpose, supply prohibited drug >indictable & small & $5000.
He was refused bail and appeared before Wollongong Local Court yesterday where he was formally refused bail to appear before Nowra Local Court today (Friday 8 December 2023).
About 11am, police executed a third search warrant at an address in Flinders where they arrested a 54-year-old man and seized a rifle, gel blaster, and small amount of cannabis.
He was taken to Illawarra Police Station where he was charged with two counts of possess unauthorised firearm, firearm etc found at premises-subject to prohibition order, and possess prohibited drug.
He was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday 17 January 2024.
