The Southern Highlands’ most notable arrests of 2020
From million-dollar drug busts to alleged thieves foiled by airborne pasta, these are some of the most notable Southern Highlands police busts of 2020.
The Bowral News
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2020 was a year marred with tragedy and turmoil, but for the Southern Highlands Police, positivity came in the form of some hefty apprehensions. Although the region is generally known as a pretty peaceful place to live, the past year uncovered millions of dollars worth of drugs, armed robbery, or fraud.
These are some of the most notable arrests of the past year.
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR DRUG BUST
In a big win for the war on drugs in the region, the Hume police allegedly seized nearly $4 million worth of cannabis on May 20, 2020.
Not long after establishing a strike force to investigate the growth of cannabis in the Highlands, police arrested 37-year-old Thanh Phe Phan and 53-year-old Van Tiu Phan on a property in Wingello.
Police allegedly collected the 1800 mature plants from three greenhouses and had the plants verified by an expert. They then torched the entire crop on site while the Rural Fire Service were at hand.
Both men were charged with large commercial cannabis cultivation.
Thanh Phe Phan was due to appear in Goulburn District Court on Monday.
BUSHFIRE FUND FRAUD
Nine people were charged with allegedly defrauding bushfire funds in sweeping raids across the state late last year.
On December 10, strike force Fireant was created to investigate allegations Rebels bikie gang members were accessing NSW Government grants aimed at assisting with bushfire destruction. Police allege the group were able to collect $113,000 of funds by making false claims and posing as fire-affected business owners.
A 31-year-old man from Hill Top, who allegedly has ties to the bikie gang, was charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage, publishing false misleading material to obtain advantage, knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, and acquiring ammunition subject to prohibition.
RSL ROBBERY
It’s not often talk of crime cracks a smile on a police officer, but this robbery reads like a satire.
On 24 August 2020, the staff at the Mittagong RSL were allegedly threatened with a firearm and robbed. Police allege 26-year-old Stuart Wells, whose hands were covered with socks but whose face was still partially visible, allegedly stole $18,000 from the venue.
As he was making his getaway, witnesses say an onlooker threw a bowl of pasta on him and caused him to drop the handfuls of cash. He was allegedly able to grab most of the cash with his socked hands, but his hoodie was marred by the pasta sauce.
A week later, a man was apprehended in Moss Vale, carrying a duffel bag allegedly holding a weapon and cash.
Stuart Wells is due to appear in Moss Vale Local Court on February 3, 2021.
ALLEGED ICE BUST
On March 11, 2020, police arrested four men and two women who they allege had been supplying ‘ice’ throughout the Southern Highlands.
Information from the community led to search warrants in New Berrima and Mittagong, where police allegedly found prohibited drugs, cash, weapons, and drug paraphernalia.
Over 100 drug charges were laid against the group, the bulk of which were attributed to the alleged mastermind of the operation.
Police allege that Catherine Ann Grainger was arranging the supply of ice and cannabis throughout the Southern Highlands using a criminal network. She has been charged with 60 counts of supplying prohibited drugs, seven counts of taking part in the supply of prohibited drugs, two counts of supplying drugs on an ongoing basis, organising/conducting/assisting drug premises and knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group.
Ms Grainger was due to appear in Goulburn District Court on Monday.
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