Strike Force detectives charged eight people following multiple search warrants targeting illegal drug supply syndicate in Sydney's south-west.
In July 2024, officers attached to Camden Police Area Command established Strike Force Tension to commence an investigation into an organised criminal syndicate involved in a supply of cocaine and cannabis in the area.
Following initial inquiries, officers arrested and charged two people earlier this month:
- About 11.50am on Thursday (8 August 2024), police were patrolling Camden Valley Way, Narellan when they stopped a blue Mazda sedan for dangerous driving manner. Officers conducted a search and seized cocaine from the vehicle and the driver's personal belonging. The driver – a 33-year-old woman was taken to Narellan Police Station where she was charged with possess prohibited drug. She was issued a court attendance notice to appear at Picton Local Court on Thursday (19 September 2024).
- About 7.45pm on Friday (9 August 2024), police were patrolling Argyle Street, Picton when they stopped a white van for a random testing. The driver was subject to a breath test, which returned with a negative result however, officers could smell a suspicious scent from the vehicle – believed to be cannabis – and conducted a search. Following inquiries, officers seized cocaine from the vehicle before they arrested the 23-year-old male driver. He was charged with supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Picton Local Court on Thursday (19 September 2024).
Following further inquiries, Strike Force detectives, with the assistance of Camden Proactive Crime Team, Crime Management Unit, South West Metropolitan Operations Support Group and State Crime Command, executed six search warrants in Camden, Oakdale, Elderslie, Tahmoor areas on Thursday (29 August 2024).
As a result, officer charged seven people including the 23-year-old man charged earlier this month:
- A 23-year-old Camden man was charged with supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, supply prohibited drug, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, owner/occupier knowingly allow use as drug premises, possess prohibited drug, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction. He was refused bail to appear at Picton Local Court on Thursday (29 August 2024), where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Thursday (19 September 2024).
- A 20-year-old Camden woman was charged with supply prohibited drug and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity. She was granted conditional bail to appear at Picton Local Court on Thursday (12 September 2024).
- A 32-year-old Oakdale man was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, possess prohibited drug, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction. He was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today (30 August 2024), where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Picton Local Court on Thursday (19 September 2024).
- A 31-year-old Elderslie man was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and two counts of possess unauthorised pistol. He was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Friday (30 August 2024), where he was granted conditional bail to appear at Picton Local Court on Thursday (19 September 2024).
- A 29-year-old Elderslie man was charged with supply prohibited drug and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Picton Local Court on Thursday (12 September 2024).
- The 23-year-old Tahmoor man who was charged earlier this month, was further charged with supply prohibited drug and less than commercial quantity, possess prohibited drug and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime. He was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Friday (30 August 2024).
- A 32-year-old man was arrested in Elderslie and was charged with take part supply cannabis, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, enter inclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse and two counts of larceny. He was refused bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Friday (30 August 2024).
During the search warrant, officers seized multiple items including an amount of cannabis, cash, steroids, replica pistols and mobile phone devices.
Investigation under Strike Force Tension will continue.
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.
