Six people have been charged with firearm and drug offences following an investigation into the supply of prohibited drugs in the state's Northern Rivers.
In February 2024, Strike Force McClelland was established by officers attached to the Northern Rivers Region Enforcement Squad (NRRES) to investigate the ongoing supply of prohibited drugs in the Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, and Evans Head areas.
As part of ongoing investigations, officers attached to the NRRES, assisted by the Tactical Operations Unit, stopped a vehicle at a service station in Chinderah about 1.10pm (Wednesday 31 July 2024).
Three people in the vehicle – a 37-year-old woman, and two men aged 28 and 51 – were arrested at the scene.
About 1.30pm (Wednesday 31 July 2024), officers attached to Northern Operations, Tweed/Byron and Richmond Police District executed three search warrants simultaneously in Evans Head and Tweed Heads, while officers from the Queensland Police Service executed three search warrants on the Gold Coast on behalf of NSW Police.
Among the items located and seized were seven pistols, one shotgun, one rifle, nine gel blasters, three electronic stun devices, knuckle dusters, flick knives, batons, handcuffs, cocaine, more than a litre of GBL, steroids, almost 1.5kg of methamphetamine, fireworks, and almost $40,000 in cash.
Police have now laid charges against the three people arrested at Chinderah, with an additional two men and a woman subsequently arrested and charged.
A total of 147 offences have now been laid by officers attached to Strike Force McClelland,
A 37-year-old Evans Head woman was charged with 64 offences.
- Possess unauthorised firearm (seven counts)
- Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit (four counts)
- Possess unauthorised pistol (two counts)
- Acquire firearm part without authority to do so
- Supply prohibited drug (small quantity) (15 counts)
- Supply prohibited drug (more than indictable and commercial) (11 counts)
- Supply prohibited drug more than small quantity (nine counts)
- Supply prohibited plant – small quantity (seven counts)
- Recruit child to carry out/assist criminal activity (three counts)
- Supply prohibited drug (more than large commercial quantity), and
- Drive motor vehicle during disqualification period (four counts)
She was refused bail to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court today (Thursday 1 August 2024), where she was formally refused bail to appear before the same court on Monday 30 September 2024.
A 28-year-old man Burleigh Heads man was charged with 24 offences.
- Supply prohibited drug (more than indictable and commercial quantity) (20 counts)
- Supply prohibited drug (more than small quantity and indictable quantity) (two counts)
- Supply prohibited drug (less than small quantity), and
- Supply prohibited drug (more than large commercial quantity).
He was refused bail to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court today (Thursday 1 August 2024), where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court on Wednesday 7 August 2024.
A 34-year-old Evans Head man was charged with 20 offences
- Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit (nine counts)
- Possess unauthorised firearm (seven counts)
- Possess unauthorised pistol (two counts)
- Acquire firearm part without authority to do so, and
- Possess prohibited drug.
He was refused bail to appear before Ballina Local Court today (Thursday 1 August 2024).
A 51-year-old Evans Head man was charged with 16 offences
- Keep firearm safely (not pistol/prohibited firearm) (four counts)
- Possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit (two counts)
- Possess unregistered firearm (not pistol/prohibited firearm) (two counts)
- Possess unauthorised pistol
- Possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority
- Acquire firearm part without authority to do so
- Possess prohibited drug (three counts), and
- Supply prohibited drug (more than indictable and commercial quantity) (two counts)
He was refused bail to appear before Ballina Local Court today (Thursday 1 August 2024), where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court on Thursday 15 August 2024.
A 42-year-old Tweed Heads man was charged with 12 offences
- Possess unauthorised pistol (three counts)
- Possess ammunition (without holding licence/permit/authority) (two counts)
- Possess prohibited drug (three counts)
- Supply prohibited drug (more than indictable and commercial quantity) (two counts)
- One count deal with proceeds of crime, and
- One count goods suspected stolen in/on premises.
He was refused bail to appear before Tweed Heads Local Court today (Thursday 1 August 2024), where he was formally refused bail to appear before the same court on Tuesday 20 August 2024.
A 48-year-old Evans Head woman was charged with with 11 offences
- Possess unauthorised pistol
- Possess unauthorised ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority
- Handle explosive/precursor without authorising licence
- Supply prohibited drug (more than indictable and commercial quantity) (four counts), and
- Possess prohibited drug (four counts).
She was refused bail to appear before Ballina Local Court today (Thursday 1 August 2024), where she was formally refused bail to appear before the same court on Thursday 15 August 2024.
