Two men and a woman have been charged as part of ongoing investigations into large-scale drug supply in the Illawarra region.
Detectives from Lake Illawarra Police District established Strike Force Mote in May 2020 to investigate organised crime and large-scale drug supply between Sydney and the Illawarra region.
Following inquiries, just before 11.30pm on Tuesday 26 April 2022, strike force officers – with the assistance of Traffic South Highway Patrol and PolAir – stopped a car on Waples Road, Unanderra, and spoke with a female driver.
Police seized almost 100g of methamphetamine in the woman's handbag, along with more than $3000 cash.
During subsequent searches at homes on Blackbutt Way, Barrack Heights and Pacific Crescent, Maianbar, officers seized small quantities of methamphetamine and items consistent with the supply of prohibited drugs.
The driver – a 33-year-old woman – was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station, where she was charged with six offences, including:
- Supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis (x2),
- Supply prohibited drug (x2), and
- Knowingly deal with proceeds of crime – serious indicatable offence (x2).
The Brownsville woman appeared in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday 27 April 2022, where she was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on Wednesday 22 June 2022.
Following further investigations, three simultaneous search warrants were executed at homes across Campsie and Croydon Park about 7.30pm yesterday (Thursday 5 May 2022) – with the assistance of South West Metropolitan, Wetherill Park and Southern Region Enforcement Squads, South West Metropolitan and Southern Operational Support Groups, Campsie and Burwood Police Area Commands, Public Order Riot Squad and Police Airwing.
Officers seized a safe, containing 1.5L of gamma butyrolactone (GBL), along with methylamphetamine, mobile phones, cash, electronic equipment, and two vehicles. These items will undergo forensic examination.
During the course of the operation, two men – aged 39 and 42 – were arrested and taken to Campsie Police Station.
The older man was charged with 21 offences, including knowingly direct activities of criminal group, supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, and supply indictable quantity of prohibited drug (x18).
The younger man was charged with participate in criminal group, four counts of supply indictable quantity of prohibited drug, and supply commercial quantity prohibited drug.
Both men were refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court today (Friday 6 May 2022).
To date, with the assistance of the NSW Crime Commission, Strike Force Mote investigators have arrested 16 people and laid more than 140 charges relating to fraud, commercial drug supply and firearm offences.
More than 5kg of methylamphetamine, 1.6kg of cocaine and 1kg of heroin have been seized, with an estimated street value in excess of $5 million dollars.
Lake Illawarra Police District Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Glen Broadhead, said the investigation has spanned multiple police districts and local area commands.
"The message we are sending is clear; our policing efforts do not stop at the district border. We will continue to work with our colleagues from neighbouring police districts and police area commands, and we will do everything in our power to keep drugs off our streets.
"This strike force has been investigating organised crime links between Sydney and the Illawarra for the last two years. In that time, we have seized more than five million dollars' worth of prohibited drugs, which is a substantial amount taken off our streets," Det Ch Insp Broadhead said.
Investigations are continuing, with further arrests expected to be made.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Mote investigators 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.
