Five people have been charged and $1 million in drugs seized after police swooped on 10 homes in Wollongong and Sydney on Wednesday.
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The early morning raids were part of Strike Force Mote, an ongoing investigation into an alleged large-scale drug syndicate operating between the Illawarra and Sydney.
Ten search warrants at Coniston, Berkeley, Brighton Le Sands, Arncliffe, Banksia, Rockdale, Condell Park, Greenacre, Potts Hill and Chipping Norton were executed between Monday and Wednesday.
During the raids, five people were arrested - including a 53-year-old Berkeley man, a 41-year-old Berkeley woman and a 40-year old Coniston man - and about 1.5kg of methamphetamine, 340g of cocaine, heroin, two unauthorised prohibited pistols and about $100,000 in cash seized.
In addition, police seized a Toyota Aurion and Mitsubishi Lancer from a premises on the Princes Highway at Arncliffe.
Police said they found the methylamphetamine and a revolver pistol with ammunition in the Toyota, while a money counter was seized from the Mitsubishi.
The estimated potential street value of the drugs seized in the haul is $1 million, with all items to undergo forensic examination.
Five people were arrested during this week's operation and they have since been charged:
About 6.15pm Monday, a 29-year-old man was arrested at a home in Francis Avenue, Brighton Le Sands. He was taken to Kogarah Police station, where he was charged with 16 offences, including two counts of supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, two counts of supply prohibited drug indictable quantity.
He appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday.
A 36-year-old man was arrested at a Fairfield home about 7am on Tuesday. He was taken to Fairfield Police Station and charged with six offences, including two counts of supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
He appeared in Fairfield Local Court on Wednesday, where he was formally denied bail to appear in the same court on Thursday.
A 53-year-old man was arrested at a home at Carringal Street, Berkeley at 7am Wednesday. He was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where he was charged with five offences: two counts of take part supply prohibited drug - commercial quantity, two counts of participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and deal with property proceeds of crime. Police will allege he was involved in the movement of methamphetamine and heroin between Sydney and the Illawarra.
He was refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday.
A 41-year-old woman was arrested at an address in Shearwater Drive, Berkeley at 7am Wednesday and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station. She was charged with six offences: three counts of supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and tamper with evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal. Police will allege in court she took part in the large commercial supply of methamphetamine.
The woman was refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Thursday.
A 40-year-old man was arrested at a home at Jutland Avenue, Coniston, about 7.30am on Wednesday. He was taken to Wollongong Police Station, where he was charged with seven offences including supply prohibited drug commercial quantity, take part supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, and tamper with evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal. Police will allege he was involved in the movement of methamphetamine and heroin between Sydney and the Illawarra, and also attempted to dispose of illicit drugs down the toilet.
He was refused bail to appear in Wollongong Local Court on Friday.
Investigations under Strike Force Mote continue, and further charges are expected to be laid.
In May 2020, officers attached to Lake Illawarra Police District established Strike Force Mote to investigate organised crime in the Illawarra, with the assistance of the State Crime Command and the NSW Crime Commission.
Eight people have been arrested and charged in relation to the investigation and they remain before the courts.
It will be alleged $60,000 in cash was seized following a vehicle stop on Heathcote Road, Heathcote on Wednesday July 14, with almost half a kilogram of methamphetamine and more than 40g of heroin seized from a Toyota Hilux following a vehicle stop on Saturday 17 July on Glastonbury Avenue, Unanderra.
Read more Illawarra court and crime stories here.
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