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Two men will face court today charged over their roles in an alleged large-scale drug supply syndicate in the Illawarra region.
In June 2020, Detectives attached to Wollongong Police District established Strike Force Elfrida to investigate the commercial supply of prohibited drugs, namely cocaine, MDMA and methylamphetamine, throughout the Illawarra.
During the course of the investigation, strike force investigators have seized more than 1.2kg of cocaine, 850g of methylamphetamine and a kilogram of MDMA and ecstasy tablets.
The estimated potential street value of these drugs is in excess of $1.6 million.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives stopped a vehicle on Waverley Road, Unanderra, about 2.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 16 December 2020), and arrested two men – aged 22 and 26.
They were taken to Wollongong Police Station.
Shortly after the arrest, strike force investigators - assisted by the Southern Region Enforcement Squad, Dog Unit and Tactical Operations Unit - executed four search warrants at homes in Calderwood, Cordeaux Heights,
Search warrants were also executed at homes in Bidwell and Arncliffe with the assistance of Penrith and Surry Hills Region Enforcement Squads.
During the searches, police allegedly seized several items including cocaine, cash and prohibited weapons.
The younger man was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug – large commercial quantity, five counts of supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity, seven counts of supply prohibited drug – indictable, four counts of supply prohibited drug, and deal with property proceeds of crime.
The older man was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug – large commercial quantity, six counts of supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity, five counts of supply prohibited drug – indictable, three counts of supply prohibited drug, and deal with property proceeds of crime.
They were both refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court today (Thursday 17 December 2020).
Wollongong Police District Commander, Superintendent Evan Quarmby, said the arrests are the culmination of months of investigations by local detectives.
"The hard work and dedication of our officers has led to the arrest and charge of two men for commercial drug offences," Supt Quarmby said.
"I want to reinforce the message that supplying drugs will not be tolerated in our community.
"In the past six months alone, we have seized more than three kilograms of prohibited drugs that police will allege came from this syndicate operating between the Illawarra and Sydney.
"We will continue to dismantle criminal networks operating in our region, even if we have to do it one by one," Supt Quarmby said.
Inquiries are continuing.
