Eleven people have been charged and will face court following investigations into alleged illicit drug supply in the NSW snowfields, NSW Police say.
Detectives attached to Monaro Local Area Command established Strike Force Minnta in July 2017 to investigate the supply of illicit drugs within the NSW snowfields.
Earlier this week (Tuesday 19 September and Wednesday 20 September 2017), officers executed five search warrants in Jindabyne and Smiggins Holes and seized drugs including cannabis, MDMA, cocaine, LSD, psychedelic mushrooms, dexamphetamine and methyl amphetamine and $3,000 in cash.
Over the duration of the operation police have seized illicit drugs with an estimated potential street value in excess of $10,000.
During the two days of raids this week, police arrested eleven (11) people and laid twenty-eight (28) charges predominantly relating to the supply of illicit drugs.
Charges of note include:
A 23-year-old man from Smiggins Holes was charged with possession of cocaine, psychedelic mushrooms, LSD, MDMA, methyl amphetamine and cannabis. He was also charged with supplying a prohibited drug (MDMA) and knowingly take part in the supply of a prohibited drug (MDMA).
A 22-year-old man from Smiggins Holes was also charged with ongoing supply of a prohibited drug (MDMA), one count of supplying cocaine, and three counts of supplying an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug (MDMA).
A 26-year-old man from Jindabyne was charged with supplying drugs on an ongoing basis (dexamphetamine tablets) and four counts of supplying a prohibited drug (dexamphetamine).
A 29-year-old woman from Gerroa was charged with possession of cocaine, cannabis and MDMA.
The three men and woman were granted strict conditional bail to appear before Cooma Local Court on Wednesday 18 October 2017.
Three other men from the Alpine areas have also been charged with the supply of prohibited drugs and will appear before the Cooma Local Court in due course.
Commander of Monaro Local Area Command, Superintendent Mark Murphy said I find it disappointing that within the snowfields of NSW there remains a minority that continue to try to profit from the sale illegal drugs that can cause significant health issues and devastate local communities.
"This operation is a clear indication that drug dealing will not be tolerated within the Monaro Command" said Supt Murphy.
