Central Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad and Southern Region Enforcement Squad have charged six people over their alleged involvement in the supply of prohibited drugs across Sydney and the Monaro region.
In late 2021, Southern Region Enforcement Squad commenced Strike Force Sulphur, an investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs in the Monaro region. As a result of the investigation, a joint operation commenced earlier this year with the Central Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad (South), who established Strike Force Watson to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs between the Sutherland Shire and Monaro regions.
Throughout the joint investigation, strike force officers have seized 4000 MDMA pills and 1.1kg of cocaine.
Following further extensive investigations, four men – aged 23, 26, 27 and 29 – and were arrested by the Tactical Operations Unit on Castenau Street, Caringbah South, about 11am yesterday (Thursday 24 November 2022).
Investigators seized 5000 MDMA pills and about 280g of cocaine, along with $185,000 cash.
The total estimated potential street value of the MDMA and cocaine seized throughout the investigation is more than $750,000.
The men were taken to Sutherland Police Station.
Shortly after the arrests, Strike Force Watson officers, assisted by Central Metropolitan Region's ODIN, executed search warrants at homes at Caringbah South and Loftus.
A 32-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were arrested at the Caringbah South property and also taken to Sutherland Police Station.
A child from the home was placed into the care of a relative.
Extraterritorial search warrants were executed by ACT Policing at Watson in the ACT.
A further search warrant was executed by the Southern Region Enforcement Squad at Queanbeyan in NSW.
During the searches, police seized cocaine, MDMA pills and powder, $292,000 in cash, drug manufacturing equipment, cannabis, electronic storage devices, and mobile phones to undergo forensic examination.
The 32-year-old Caringbah South man was charged with 10 counts of supply prohibited drug, three counts of take part supply prohibited drug, knowingly direct activities of criminal group, and deal with proceeds of crime.
The 26-year-old Caringbah South woman was charged with six counts of supply prohibited drug, six counts of take part supply prohibited drug, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and deal with proceeds of crime.
The 23-year-old Watson, ACT, man was charged with nine counts of supply prohibited drug, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The 26-year-old Watson, ACT, man was charged with 12 counts of supply prohibited drug, supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The 27-year-old Randwick man was charged with supply prohibited drug, take part supply prohibited drug, and deal with property proceeds of crime.
The 29-year-old Crace, ACT, man was charged with three counts of supply prohibited drug, take part supply prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
Police will allege in court that the group were involved in large commercial-scale supply of prohibited drugs.
They have all been refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court today (Friday 25 November 2022).
Investigations under Strike Force Watson are continuing.
Anyone with information relating to the supply of prohibited drugs in their community 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.
