Ten people in Cooma and Queanbeyan have been arrested with over 60 drug supply charges laid as part of investigations into an alleged drug supply operation in NSW’s Snowy Mountains.
Following extensive investigations that began in February, NSW Police strike force officers arrested six men and four women over their alleged involvement in the supply of ‘ice’ and other prohibited drugs throughout the region.
The Monaro region enforcement squad has led the operation, using a variety of methodologies to uncover an intricate network of drug suppliers from Queanbeyan to Cooma.
The police operation began shortly after 8am Thursday 27 August, with five search warrants executed at homes at Cooma.
During the searches, officers located and seized drugs, a firearm and electronic devices.
Four men – aged 29, 34, 35 and 46 – and two women – aged 25 and 35 – were arrested and taken to Cooma Police Station.
A fifth man, aged 28, was arrested at Cooma Police Station a short time later.
They were granted strict conditional bail to appear in Cooma Local Court on Wednesday 9 September.
A short time later, a further two search warrants were executed at homes in Queanbeyan.
Investigators allegedly located and seized several items including cocaine, cash and weapons. These items will undergo forensic examination.
A 31-year-old man and two women – aged 25 and 37 – were arrested and taken to Queanbeyan Police Station.
They were refused bail to appear in Queanbeyan Local Court today, Friday 28 August.
Southern Region Operations Manager, Detective Superintendent Kevin McNeil said police allege the criminal network supplied amphetamines on a regular basis and particularly in the small country town of Cooma.
“The impact of ice on local communities is severe and we will continue to reach out to the public to get information from them on drug suppliers so we can get that drug out of our community.
“These arrests are the culmination of excellent work by the Region Enforcement Squads and our local police during extremely trying times,” Det Supt McNeil said.
The operation saw the Monaro Police district Strike Force Heeterra team work together with personnel from Wagga Wagga and the South-East Illawarra area.
Det Supt McNeill said the arrests are a result of the various police teams working together on an extensive operation.
“It’s everyone coming together to solve a problem in the Snowy Mountains area,” he said.
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