02/09/2024
Five people have been charged with drug offences following an operation in the state’s Snowy Mountains region.
In June 2024, Strike Force Snaith was established to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Monaro Police District.
About 7.30am yesterday (Tuesday 27 August 2024) three simultaneous search warrants were executed in Cooma.
Officers attached to Southern Region Enforcement Squad, with assistance from NSW Dog Squad and officers attached to Monaro Police District executed a search warrant at a business on Sharp Street, Cooma. Police seized close to 24,000 cigarettes, more than 180 vapes, close to 6kg of loose tobacco leaf – with an estimated street value of more than $48,000. A 28-year-old man was arrested and taken to Cooma Police Station. He was charged with 13 offences– seven counts of recklessly deal with the proceeds to crime, five counts of prohibition on wholesale supply of certain substances for therapeutic use and persons unlawfully in possession of property. He was granted conditional bail to appear before Cooma Local Court on Wednesday 18 September 2024.
A 29-year- old man was arrested at a showground in Boundary street, Cooma. Police seized cocaine. Shortly after, officers attached to Region Enforcement Squad and Southern Operations Support Group with assistance from the NSW Dogs Squad executed the first search warrant at a home in Buchan Parade, Cooma. Cocaine, ketamine, a large sum of cash and a replica military style firearm was seized. The man was taken to Cooma Police Station and charged with 12 offences – supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis, four counts of supply prohibited drugindictable &small & < = indictable quantity, possess prohibited drug, possess unauthorised firearm and recklessly deal in proceeds of crime > $5000. He appeared before Queanbeyan Local Court today (Wednesday 28 August 2024) and was refused bail to reappear at Cooma Local Court on Wednesday 18 September 2024.
A 26-year-old man was arrested at a supermarket in Commissioner Street, Cooma. Shortly after, a search was executed at a home in Namala Street, Cooma. Police seized drugs and items allegedly used in the supply of prohibited drugs. The man was taken to Cooma Police Station and charged with six offences – three counts of supply prohibited drug >small&$5000. He was granted conditional bail to appear in Cooma Local Court and granted conditional bailed to appear at Cooma Local Court on (Wednesday 9 October 2024).
A 19-year-old woman was arrested at a school in Baroona Avenue, Cooma and taken to Cooma Police Station. She was charged with supply prohibited drug
A 29-year-old man was arrested at a licensed premises in Vale and Massie Street 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 will put a significant dent in 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,” Detective Superintendent Beattie 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.”
Today (Wednesday 28 August 2024), officers attached to Southern Region Enforcement Squad, Operation Support Group, Monaro Police District and NSW Dog Squad will be involved in a high visibility police operation at a number of licensed venues in Cooma, Jindabyne and Queanbeyan, targeting the possession or supply of prohibited drugs.
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