Five people have been charged following an ongoing investigation into an alleged large-scale drug syndicate operating between the Illawarra and Sydney, which included search warrants across the St George, Liverpool and Fairfield areas.
In May 2020, officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District established Strike Force Mote to investigate organised crime in the Illawarra region, with the assistance of the State Crime Command and the NSW Crime Commission.
Eight people have been arrested and charged in relation to the investigation and they remain before the courts. It will be alleged $60,000 in cash was seized following a vehicle stop on Heathcote Road, Heathcote on Wednesday, July 14 2021,
Following extensive investigations, Lake Illawarra Detectives and St George Police Area Command - with assistance from the NSW Crime Commission, Liverpool and Fairfield Police Area Commands, Bass Hill Region Enforcement Squad, Wollongong Police District, the State Crime Command's Raptor Squad and the Dog Unit - executed ten search warrants at Brighton Le Sands, Arncliffe, Banksia, Rockdale, Condell Park, Greenacre, Potts Hill, Chipping Norton and Coniston, between September 13 and 15.
During these warrants, five people were arrested and police will allege approximately 1.5-kilograms of methamphetamine, 340-grams of cocaine, heroin, two unauthorised prohibited pistols and approximately $100,000 in cash were seized.
In addition, police seized a Toyota Aurion and Mitsubishi Lancer from a premises on the Princes Highway at Arncliffe.
It will be alleged police located the methylamphetamine and a revolver pistol with ammunition in the Toyota, while a money counter was seized from the Mitsubishi.
The estimated potential street value of the drugs seized this week is $1 million. All items seized will undergo forensic examination.
Five people were arrested during this week's operation and they have since been charged.
About 6.15pm on September 13, a 29-year-old man was arrested at a home in Francis Avenue, Brighton Le Sands. He was taken to Kogarah Police station, where he was charged with 16 offences including two counts of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, two counts of possessing an unauthorised pistol and tampering with evidence with intent to mislead a judicial tribunal. He appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday.
A 36-year-old man was arrested at a home on The Horsley Drive, Fairfield, about 7am on September 14. He was taken to Fairfield Police Station and charged with six offences, including two counts of supplying a prohibited commercial quantity drug and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime. He was formally denied bail to appear in Fairfield Local Court yesterday today.
A 53-year-old man, who was arrested at a home at Carringal Street, Berkeley, a 41-year-old woman, who was arrested at an address in Shearwater Drive, Berkeley and a 40-year-old man, who was arrested at a home at Jutland Avenue, Coniston, were also charged with a range of offences and will appear in court this week. Investigations under Strike Force Mote continue, and further charges are expected to be laid.