A Wollongong man will face court on Saturday accused of the "brazen" supply of meth out of a CBD business less than 100 metres from the police station.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Detectives raided Custom Recycled Cycles in Crown Street Mall on Friday morning after receiving a tip off from the public that the business was a front for alleged drug dealings.
Following a five-month long investigation, detectives, the dog unit and proactive crime team stormed the bicycle repair store on Church Street and arrested a 48-year-old man.
A short time later, a second man, aged 55, was arrested on Carr Street, Towradgi. Both men work at the business.
Wollongong police crime manager, Detective Chief Inspector Brad Ainsworth said one of the men "boasted" about the alleged drug supply occurring under the noses of police.
"They were operating a bike repair business and police allege [a] significant amounts of drugs were supplied from the store," he said.
"They set up business within 100 metres of the police station, which is a worry.
"We received information [about the alleged] supply of drugs.
"Purchases of methamphetamine have been made there, which we've confirmed."
Insp Ainsworth said the alleged drug dealing was "brazen".
"They were operating in the CBD," he said. "Since they have been operating right through COVID, I would suggest they have been one of the busier business outlets in the mall, unfortunately," he said.
"As our investigation commenced it was quite obvious they were getting a lot of foot traffic.
"We know there is methamphetamine out in the community and police do their best to try and stop the supply of it."
"As our investigation commenced it was quite obvious they were getting a lot of foot traffic.
"We know there is methamphetamine out in the community and police do their best to try and stop the supply of it."
Police seized prohibited weapons and number plates believed to be stolen during the search warrant of the shop.
Both men, who are known to police for other drug-related offences, are not considered "big fish" in the supply of ice in the Illawarra and were carrying out "street deals".
However, police will allege the 55-year-old male carried out more than 20 individual supplies.
The 55-year-old man was charged with 16 counts of supply prohibited drug, supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, six counts of never licensed person drive on road and organise/conduct/assist drug premises.
The 48-year-old man was charged with 11 counts of drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.
The pair were refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Saturday.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
Subscribe to our newsletters
