Five people have been arrested in what NSW Police described as a “warning” to anyone involved in alleged drug supply in the Snowy Monaro. Photo: NSW Police.
Twenty-four thousand cigarettes and illegal drugs have allegedly been seized and five people have been arrested in what police have called a warning to anyone involved in the alleged sale of prohibited drugs.
In June, NSW Police established Strike Force Snaith to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Snowy Monaro region.
NSW Police said that at about 7:30 am on Tuesday (27 August), three simultaneous search warrants were executed across Cooma.
Officers attached to Southern Region Enforcement Squad – with assistance from NSW Dog Squad and officers attached to Monaro Police District – carried out a search warrant at a business on Sharp Street in Cooma.
Police allege officers seized close to 24,000 cigarettes, more than 180 vapes and almost 6 kg of loose tobacco leaf, which had an estimated street value of more than $48,000.
A 28-year-old man was arrested and taken to Cooma Police Station, where he was charged with seven counts of recklessly deal with the proceeds of crime, five counts of prohibition on wholesale supply of certain substances for therapeutic use and persons unlawfully in possession of property, for a total of 13 offences.
He was granted conditional bail and is set to next appear before Cooma Local Court on 18 September.
A 29-year-old man was arrested at a showground in Cooma, with police allegedly seizing cocaine.
Shortly after, officers, with assistance from the NSW Dogs Squad, executed a search warrant at a home in Buchan Parade in Cooma, from which they allegedly seized cocaine, ketamine, a large sum of cash and a replica military-style firearm.
The 29-year-old man was taken to Cooma Police Station and charged with 12 offences, including four counts of supply prohibited drug and possess unauthorised firearm and recklessly deal in proceeds of crime.
He appeared before Queanbeyan Local Court on Wednesday (28 August) and was refused bail. He is scheduled to reappear at Cooma Local Court on 18 September.
A 26-year-old man was arrested at a supermarket, shortly before a house on Namala Street was searched by police. Police allegedly seized drugs and items used in the supply of prohibited drugs.
The man was taken to Cooma Police Station and charged with three counts of supplying drugs. He was granted conditional bail and is set to front Cooma Local Court in early October.
A 19-year-old woman was arrested at a school in Cooma and taken to Cooma Police Station. She was charged with supply prohibited drug.
Another 29-year-old man was arrested at a licensed premises in Cooma and taken to Cooma Police Station and charged with supply prohibited drug < small quantity and take part supply prohibited drug.
Southern Operations Manager, Detective Superintendent Tim Beattie said the operation would dampen the alleged drug supply in the Monaro Police District.
“This is a great result for the Cooma region and surrounds. We have charged five people who we will allege are involved in the ongoing supply of cocaine, cannabis and illegal tobacco in the area for several months,” he said.
“The community can be assured we are doing everything we can to charge those responsible and bring them before the courts.
“This is a warning that if you are involved in the alleged sale of prohibited drugs, you will be caught and brought before the courts.
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That has me crying again. All that burnt land, still mostly struggling to recover. All those lost… View