OF 12 people arrested on drugs charges in the Southern Highlands and western Sydney on Tuesday night, nine appeared in Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday.
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All nine were refused bail, to reappear in the court on August 10.
Police from ‘Strike Force Trinculo’ arrested the 12 on July 26 after seven search warrant raids at homes in Bowral, Moss Vale, Mount Annan, Edmondson Park and Ambarvale.
During the searches, police seized methylamphetamine (ice), more than $30,000 cash, two poker machines, a replica pistol, alleged stolen property and other items consistent with the supply of prohibited drugs.
Those arrested and charged at Moss Vale were:
- A 26-year-old woman who was charged with supplying large commercial quantities of a drug, directing a criminal group, recruiting a child to carry out criminal activity, four counts of ongoing supply of a drug, knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime and conducting four drug premises;
- A 50-year-old man, charged with supplying large commercial quantities of a drug, participating in a criminal group, three counts of ongoing supply of a prohibited drug, conducting drug premises and two counts of supplying a prohibited drug;
- A 30-year-old man, charged with four counts of supplying a prohibited drug and conducting a drug premises;
- A 17-year-old boy, charged with resisting or hindering a search warrant, resisting or hindering police and possessing a prohibited drug. He will appear at a children’s court on August 26; and
- An 18-year-old man, charged with four counts of supplying a prohibited drug.
Those arrested and charged at Bowral were:
- A 23-year-old man, charged with two counts of supplying a prohibited drug;
- A 32-year-old man, charged with six counts of supplying a prohibited drug;
- A 27-year-old man, charged with two counts of supplying a prohibited drug, and conducting a drug premises;
- A 42-year-old man, charged with breaching bail; and
- A 49-year-old woman, charged with four counts of supplying a prohibited drug.
Those arrested at Edmondson Park were:
- A 21-year-old woman, charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, direct criminal group, three counts of ongoing supply of a prohibited drug, knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime and conducting drug premises;
and
- A 22-year-old woman, charged with supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, three counts of ongoing supply of a drug, knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime and conducting drug premises.
Both women arrested at Edmondson Park faced Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday.
Acting Superintendent Andrew Koutsoufis from Hume Local Area Command (LAC) said Strike Force Trinculo had made significant inroads in the Southern Highlands and that inquiries were continuing.
“The detectives have worked tirelessly to achieve the results, including the large number of arrests, and we will continue to investigate the supply, distribution, cultivation and manufacture of prohibited drugs,” Acting Superintendent Koutsoufis said.
“It was a meticulous operation, one of the finest I have seen. These arrests send a strong message to the community and to anyone involved in this type of activity, that it won’t be tolerated.
“We will continue to do everything we can to keep drugs off the streets.”
Superintendent Koutsoufis said a detailed brief of evidence is now being prepared for the DPP and that it could take some time to sort through considering the extent of the charges.
Strike Force Trinculo was established by officers attached to Hume LAC in March this year. The strike force has been investigating the supply of methylamphetamine (ice) in the Southern Highlands.
