Police have continued to execute search warrants. Photo: NSW Police.
Two replica hand grenades have been found and an additional three people have been charged in relation to an alleged dial-a-dealer drug syndicate, during an ongoing drug operation in the Riverina.
In February 2025, officers attached to Southern Region Enforcement Squad established Strike Force Vandehei-Wilkinson to investigate the alleged supply of illicit drugs.
On Tuesday (17 June), Police conducted several raids in homes in Wagga and Albury and made seven arrests.
Their work continued later in the week.
At about 9 am on Thursday (19 June), officers attached to the Region Enforcement Squad with assistance from Southern Operations Group, Southern Domestic Violence High Risk Offenders Team, officers attached to Riverina Police District, NSW Dog Unit and Police Transport Command executed a number of search warrants in Tumut and Lake Albert.
Police executed a search warrant at a home in Tumut and allegedly seized cannabis, methylamphetamine, knives and electronic devices. A man was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with taking and driving a conveyance without the consent of the owner, initiating a police pursuit and possessing a licence expired within the last two years.
Two replica grenades were found in a Tumut home. Photo: NSW Police.
He was refused bail and appeared in Wagga Wagga Local Court on Thursday (19 June), where he was formally refused bail to reappear in Tumut Local Court on 16 July.
A search warrant was also executed at a home in Maroo Street, Tumut. Officers seized a number of firearm parts, two replica grenades, which were sent off for forensic examination. A 41-year-old man was arrested and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with two counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon and possessing a prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Tumut Local Court on 13 August.
At about 2:45 pm on Thursday, a search warrant was executed at a home on Cummins Road, Lake Albert. Police allegedly seized three gel blaster pistols, cocaine and MDMA. A 37-year-old man was arrested and taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with supplying a prohibited drug, possessing an unregistered firearm and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Wagga Wagga Local Court on 20 August.
Strike Force Vandehei-Wilkinson continues.
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
