A man is arrested as part of Strike Force Ginga’s raids in Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra on Wednesday (30 November). Photo: NSW Police.
A strike force investigating the alleged commercial supply of cocaine and methamphetamine in the Monaro has charged four men.
Established to target the alleged drug supply in Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra, Strike Force Ginga kicked off a major operation on Wednesday (30 November) and arrested three men in the two towns.
The operation was joined by members of the strike force along with tactical operations and other specialist units.
Two of the men, 39-year-old Ricky Wilkinson and 33-year-old Joshua Viseth Sonee, were both refused bail when they appeared in the Queanbeyan Local Court on Thursday (1 December).
Mr Wilkinson’s 12 charges include seven counts of suppling a prohibited drug as well as single counts of importing a marketable quantity of a border controlled drug, supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Mr Sonee’s 18 charges include 13 counts of supplying a prohibited drug, three counts of supplying a prohibited drug on an ongoing basis and a single count of dealing with property that was the proceeds of crime.
No pleas were entered. Both of their cases were adjourned to 7 February 2023.
The third man arrested, a 34-year-old, was charged with one count of supplying a prohibited drug and issued a notice requiring him to appear before Queanbeyan’s court on 23 January 2023.
In addition, a 33-year-old man went to the Queanbeyan Police Station on Wednesday evening and was also issued a notice requiring him to go to court on 16 January 2023 over one count of supplying a prohibited drug.
NSW Police’s southern region operations manager, Detective Superintendent Tim Beattie, said police would not tolerate anyone who tried to exploit community safety through the alleged supply or manufacture of prohibited drugs.
“Unfortunately, regional areas across NSW continue to feel the devastating impact of prohibited drugs on their communities,” he said.
“There seems to be a perception among some that if you’re outside of Sydney, you can do as you please without the scrutiny of law enforcement.”
Investigations under Strike Force Ginga continue.
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