PLEASE NOTE: Images and footage from Strike Force Resche is available via Hightail – https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/9SGbosjWd4
Six people will face court today following an investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs in the state's Central Tablelands.
In late 2019, officers from Chifley Police District established Strike Force Resche to investigate a criminal network allegedly involved in the supply of prohibited drugs – mainly cocaine – from Sydney to the Bathurst area.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force investigators executed seven search warrants in Bathurst, Eglington, Yetholme, Glenmore Park, Cambridge Gardens and Cambridge Park, from 8.30am yesterday (Wednesday 10 March 2021).
Officers were assisted throughout the operation by Chifley Region Enforcement Squad (RES), the Dog Unit, Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, Forensic Evidence and Technical Services Command (FETS), Central West Police District, Western Region Operations Support Groups (OSG), Australian Border Force (ABF) and Roads and Maritime Services Motor Unit.
During the searches, officers seized prohibited drugs including cocaine and steroids, as well as equipment consistent with the supply of prohibited drugs.
Shortly after 9am yesterday, a 29-year-old man and 26-year-old woman were arrested at a home in Yetholme and taken to Bathurst Police Station.
The man was charged with 33 offences including;
- Supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity),
- supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity),
- supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity x6),
- knowingly direct activities of criminal group,
- participate criminal group contribute criminal activity,
- knowingly deal with proceeds of crime,
- supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis (x6),
- supply prohibited drug (x12),
- larceny,
- receive/ dispose stolen property,
- supply pistol without dealer/ police witness,
- obtain/ attempt to prescribed restricted substance.
The woman was charged with 21 offences including;
- Participate criminal group contribute criminal activity,
- knowingly deal with proceeds of crime,
- take part supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity),
- supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity x15),
- supply prohibited drug (x3).
A 49-year-old man was arrested at a home on Cummings Street, West Bathurst, and taken to Bathurst Police Station.
He was charged with supply pistol without dealer/ police witness, take part supply cannabis (indictable quantity), four counts of supply prohibited drug, four counts of take part supply prohibited drug, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
All three were refused bail to appear at Bathurst Local Court today (Thursday 11 March 2021).
Three men – aged 55, 37 and 36 – were arrested in Western Sydney and taken to Mt Druitt and Penrith Police Stations.
The 55-year-old Cambridge Gardens man was charged with 20 offences including;
- Take part supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity),
- supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity),
- supply prohibited drugs (indictable quantity x3),
- supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis (x7),
- supply prohibited drug (x5),
- participate criminal group contribute criminal activity,
- knowingly deal with proceeds of crime,
- cultivate prohibited plant.
The 37-year-old Glenmore Park man was charged with supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), two counts of supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity) and nine counts of supply prohibited drug.
The 36-year-old Cambridge Park man was charged with supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), and four counts of supply prohibited drug.
The three men were refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Thursday 11 March 2021).
