Please Note: The Strike Force is pronounced Cecum (See-KUHM)
Police have charged 16 people with 35 offences, as part of an operation targeting illicit drug and tobacco supply in the state's south.
In March 2024 Strike Force Cecum was established to investigate the alleged ongoing supply of prohibited drugs and illicit tobacco within the Murray River Police District.
The operation ran between Wednesday 3 July 2024 and Thursday 4 July 2024, and involved officers from the Southern Region Enforcement Squad, with assistance provided from POLAir, the Dog Unit, officers attached to the Murray River Police District and NSW Health.
During the two-day operation, police charged 16 people with 35 offences and executed 12 search warrants in Albury, Lavington and Howlong.
95,250 cigarettes were seized with an estimated street value of just over $142,000 and 505 vapes seized with an estimated value of $30,0000. Four weapons were seized along with $28,000 in cash, which police will allege is the proceeds of crime.
Incidents of note include;
- About 8.30am on Tuesday (2 July 2024), officers attached to the Southern Regional Enforcement Squad - with assistance from the Domestic Violence High Risk Offenders Team and Operational Support Group - executed five search warrants at businesses on Dean Street, Albury; AMP Lane, Albury; Mate Street, North Albury; Griffith Road, Lavington and Hawkins Street, Howlong, and a residential address in at Balu Street, West Albury. Police seized in excess of $26,000 in cash believed to be the proceeds of crime, illicit cigarettes, illicit loose leaf tobacco, vapes and electronic devices seized for forensic examination. About 10am on Wednesday (3 July 2024), a 31-year-old man was arrested at the business premises on Dean Street, Albury. He was taken to Albury Police Station where he was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, knowingly direct activities of a criminal group, two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, possess tobacco 100kgs or above and possess prohibited drug. He appeared in Albury Local Court yesterday (Thursday 4 July 2024) where he was granted conditional bail to appear before the same court on Tuesday 13 July 2024. Police will allege the man owns and operates the five business premises.
- About 7.10am yesterday (Thursday 4 July 2024), police executed a search warrant at a home in Albury where they allegedly located and seized cannabis seeds and a mobile phone. A 55-year-old man was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station. He was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug. He appeared before Albury Local Court and was refused bail, to appear in the same court on Monday 15 July 2024.
- About 9.40am yesterday (Thursday 4 July 2024), police executed a search warrant at a unit on Thurgoona Street, Albury, with assistance of the Dog Unit. Police allegedly located and seized drug paraphernalia and cannabis. A 29-year-old man was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station. He was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug. He appeared before Albury Local Court yesterday (Thursday 4 July 2024).
- About 7.20am yesterday (Thursday 4 July 2024), officers executed a search warrant at a home in Lavington. Police allegedly located cannabis and mobile devices, which were seized for forensic examination. A 30-year-old woman and 32-year-old man were arrested and taken to Albury Police Station. The 32-year-old man was charged with two counts of take part in supply of prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Albury Local Court on Tuesday 27 August 2024. The woman was charged with seven counts of supply prohibited drug, ongoing supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug. She appeared before Albury Local Court yesterday (Thursday 4 July 2024).
- About 1.40pm yesterday (Thursday 4 July 2024), police executed a search warrant at a home on Union Street, North Albury. Police allegedly located and seized a taser, liquid GBH, methylamphetamine, cannabis, MDMA and prescription medication. Two men and two women were arrested at the scene and taken to Albury Police Station. A 45-year old man was charged with possess prohibited drug and possess/use prohibited weapon. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Albury Local Court on Wednesday 17 July 2024. Three others were released without charge.
Investigations are ongoing under Strike Force Cecum are continuing.
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. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
