Police raid properties in major NSW drugs bust

A WOMAN is handcuffed and dragged away in her workout gear as police made a series of arrests as part of a $1.5 million drug raid.

A SERIES of raids on the NSW Central Coast have led to more than $1.5 million worth of drugs — including 30,000 pills and cocaine — seized.

The big haul of drugs came after raids on properties throughout Sydney, resulting in the arrests of several people.

The raids were part of Strike Force Bamberry which was established in December last year to investigate the production of drugs on the Central Coast.

As well as 30,000 pills, drugs including cocaine, amphetamine and MDMA were seized. ice, steroids and GHB were also found. Police said the drugs had a street value estimated at $1.5 million.

Strike Force detectives arrested a 26-year-old man yesterday at a vehicle stop at Kariong and allegedly found MDMA and cocaine.

He was charged with seven offences including supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited drug, supplying indictable quantity of prohibited drug and knowingly participating in a criminal group.

A woman arrested by Strike Force Bamberry

Two other men, both 20, were charged soon after with a variety of drug offences. All three will appear in Gosford Local Court today.

After the arrests police raided 11 properties on the Central Coast and in Sydney where a number of items were allegedly seized — including two vehicles, an extendable baton, and $125,000 in cash thought to be the proceeds of crime.

Detectives also allegedly found 1.5 tons of precursor chemicals at a Waterloo, Sydney, address that had been identified through the operation. Police believe it was to be used in the large-scale manufacture of prohibited drugs.

One of the arrested men.

Officers from Strike Force Bamberry, a six-month investigation into the manufacture of drugs on the Central Coast, carried out raids yesterday.

A fourth man, and a woman, were arrested during the operation. The 21-year-old Umina man was charged with a total of 18 offences including supplying commercial quantity of prohibited drug, supplying large commercial quantity of prohibited drug, supplying indictable quantity of prohibited drug, and knowingly participating in a criminal group.

He was refused bail and is due to face Hornsby Local Court today

The 34-year-old woman, of Woy Woy, was charged with five offences of supplying an indictable quantity of prohibited drug. She was granted conditional bail to appear before Gosford Local Court next month.

Over $100,000 in cash was found during the raids.

Police have seized a number of drugs.

In a statement, Brisbane Water Local Area Commander, Superintendent Danny Sullivan, said yesterday’s operation was the culmination of several months of investigation.

“It’s clear that those arrested during the operation were members of an elaborate syndicate that had been operating across the Central Coast peninsula for some time,” Supt Sullivan said.

“These drugs can destroy lives — they’re not only illegal — but they can also be very harmful to your health, if not fatal.”

Originally published as Police raid properties in major NSW drugs bust