Central Coast ‘ice’ empire brought down by police
Police arrested nine people and laid more than 320 charges when they dismantled a widespread ‘ice’ network allegedly linked to bikies on the Central Coast.
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Detectives say they’ve dismantled a large-scale drug supply network, after nine people were arrested and charged with over 320 offences during an operation on the Central Coast yesterday.
In March 2019, detectives from Tuggerah Lakes Drug and Anti-Theft Unit established Strike Force Lamprey to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs on the Central Coast.
The investigation focused on the ongoing supply of methylamphetamine (ice), cocaine and cannabis.
Police allege members of the Bandidos and Rebels outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMCG) were directly involved in the ongoing supply.
Att 7am on Thursday officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police with assistance from officers from Brisbane Water Police District, Strike Force Raptor and the Public Order Riot Squad, executed nine search warrants at properties in The Entrance, Berkeley Vale, Long Jetty, Springfield and Bateau Bay.
During these search warrants, police located and seized ice, cannabis, drug paraphernalia, weapons, ammunition and cash.
As a result, police laid a total of 329 charges and arrested nine people – all aged between 37 and 56.
These included a 37-year-old woman from an address on Shannon Parade, Berkeley Vale. She was charged with 136 offences. Also, a 42-year-old man at an address on Ashton Ave, The Entrance, charged with 58 counts of supply prohibited drug.
A 45-year-old man arrested at an address on Manning Rd, The Entrance was charged with 46 offences.
Tuggerah Lakes Police District Commander, Superintendent John Gralton said today’s arrests were the culmination of six-months of hard work and dedication from detectives.
“These arrests affectively dismantle a number of large-scale drug supply networks on the Central Coast.
“The drug ‘ice’ is an insidious drug that ruins people’s lives and destroys families. We aim to disrupt these criminals at all levels and we will be relentless in our pursuit of drug dealers. More arrests will follow,” Supt Gralton said.
“As a community, we need to work together to dob in a dealer. If you have any information which could assist police, please call Crime Stoppers,” Supt Gralton said.
Investigations under Strike Force Lamprey are continuing.