Six people have been charged and more than $2 million worth of prohibited drugs seized following a cross-border operation targeting the supply of drugs across the state's north.
In February 2023, officers from the Northern Rivers Region Enforcement Squad established Strike Force Nesabo to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Tweed/Byron area.
NSW Police Force, in collaboration with Queensland Police Service and Australian Federal Police, conducted the cross-border operation to identify supply lines from Sydney to the Gold Coast.
Following extensive inquiries, and with the assistance of Tweed/Byron PD, Burwood PAC and the SCC Criminal Groups Squad, strike force investigators executed search warrants at seven locations yesterday (Tuesday 5 September 2023), including Five Dock, Ashfield, Tweed Heads, Tyalgum, South Murwillumbah, and Dum Dum.
During the search warrants executed at the NSW properties, officers located and seized 256g of cannabis, 29g of MDMA capsules, and 12.49g of methamphetamine, with a combined estimated street value of $21,800.
Since February 2023, a total of 1.64kg of methamphetamine, 295g of cannabis, 220g of heroin, 56g of cocaine and 56g of MDMA capsules has been seized as part of Strike Force Nesabo inquiries.
The seized items will undergo forensic examination. The total seized drugs from the cross-border operation have an estimated potential street value of more than $2 million.
Following the search warrants, three men and a woman were arrested yesterday (Tuesday 5 September 2023) at properties in South Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads, and Dum Dum.
A 26-year-old South Murwillumbah man was charged with 63 offences including 47 counts of supply prohibited drug, three counts of supply prohibited drug to child, supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), possess prohibited drug, and possess/attempt to prescribed restricted substance.
A 25-year-old South Murwillumbah woman was charged with 20 offences including 12 counts of take part supply prohibited drug, four counts of supply prohibited drug, and take part supply prohibited drug (commercial).
A 24-year-old Dum Dum man was charged with 11 offences including six counts of supply prohibited drug, two counts of possess prohibited drug, and two counts of stalk/intimidate intent physical etc harm.
A 55-year-old Tweed Heads man was charged with eight offences including three counts of supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis, two counts of possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug, and deal with property proceeds of crime.
All were refused bail to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court today (Wednesday 6 September 2023).
Meanwhile, a further eight search warrants were executed by officers from Queensland Police Service across the Gold Coast, with two people charged with significant drug supply matters to appear before Southport Magistrates Court today (Wednesday 6 September 2023).
During the execution of the search warrants across the two states, significant amounts of drugs, cash, prohibited weapons and other items were seized.
Northern Region Operations Manager, Detective Superintendent David Waddell, said the strong results came down to ongoing cross-border collaboration.
"By working closely with our QPS and AFP colleagues, we have successfully dismantled a significant drug operation with links from Sydney to the Gold Coast," Det Supt Waddell said.
"Following these significant results, we look forward to continuing this collaboration with other agencies to tackle drug supply across the state."
Queensland Police Service Drug and Serious Crime Group Detective Acting Superintendent Melissa Anderson said the QLD Joint and Organised Crime Taskforce will continue to work with all law enforcement jurisdictions to relentlessly target criminal syndicates and keep the community safe.
"Organised crime knows no borders and has no regard for impacts on innocent and vulnerable members of the public," Det A/Supt Anderson said.
"I commend all officers involved in this complex and covert joint operation and warn anyone who thinks they can get away with putting these addictive and devastating drugs on our streets, to expect police at your door next."
Australian Federal Police Acting Commander Anthony Conway said police would continue to work collaboratively to stop the impact of illicit drugs that are felt across Australia.
"Drugs don't stop at the border and neither do the police. By sharing intelligence and resources we can ensure that all police forces around the country are best placed to stop the scourge of drugs from impacting our communities," A/Commander Conway said.
Inquiries into drug supply in the state's north 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.
