An American-owned plane which flew in to Illawarra Regional Airport nearly two weeks ago has been raided for drugs in a dramatic two-day police operation, according to reports.
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Police have remained tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding the raid, which began on Tuesday.
They targeted a 43-year-old plane, N224HR, which arrived at the Albion Park airport on the afternoon of June 27 and resumed the raid on Wednesday after local police guarded it overnight.
Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad officers coordinated the operation, while forensic officers were seen removing packages from the aircraft on Wednesday afternoon.
Federal police are also understood to have been involved.
The Mercury was told drugs weighing 35 kilograms were seized from the aircraft.
It is believed one Illawarra man, who is known to police, was taken into custody in relation to the incident.
It is also understood police intend to fly the plane to Bankstown, where they will dismantle it as part of their investigation.
Police media released a statement on Wednesday afternoon, confirming an operation was underway at Albion Park.
‘‘The operation is part of an ongoing investigation,’’ a spokesman said.
‘‘No further comment will be provided at this time.’’
The Delaware-registered Swearingen Merlin 3 arrived at Albion Park after flying from Coffs Harbour, flight records show, but it is not clear when it arrived in Australia.
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