Cameron Hooper, Leti Tugaga charged after Port Kembla mechanic raid

Police have allegedly seized drugs with a street value of $1.4 million from the home of a western Sydney man accused of operating out of a Port Kembla mechanic.

Drugs and cash allegedly seized during the raid on November 18. Picture: NSW Police

Detectives have charged a Guildford man with commercial drug supply following an investigation surrounding a Port Kembla mechanic.

Strike Force Mote was established by detectives from Lake Illawarra Police District in August 2020, to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs from an automotive store in Port Kembla.

Following extensive inquiries, investigators executed a search warrant at AC Automotive on Military Road, Port Kembla, about 7.40pm on Wednesday, September 30.

During a search of the store, officers allegedly seized almost half a kilogram of methylamphetamine – which has an estimated potential street value of $80,000 – drug paraphernalia, a firearm and ammunition.

Two 27-year-old men, Cameron Hooper and Leti Tugaga, as well as 39-year-old Feras Abdul-Hamid, were arrested and charged with commercial drug supply offences in connection to the seizure.

Cameron Hooper was charged in October. Picture: Facebook

Hooper and Abdul-Hamid were released on bail while Tugaga remains on remand in custody.

Following further inquiries, about 4.15pm yesterday, investigators from the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad stopped a white Toyota Camry in Penrith.

A search of the car allegedly revealed $65,000 cash.

The 33-year-old male driver and 32-year-old male passenger were arrested and taken to Mount Druitt Police Station, where the passenger was released pending further inquiries.

A short time later, Strike Force Mote investigators executed a search warrant at the 33-year-old man’s Guildford home.

Investigators allegedly located and seized 16kg of MDMA, 3kg of methylamphetamine, 1kg heroin, 1kg cocaine and $320,000 cash.

The estimated street value of the drugs is in excess of $1.4 million.

The 33-year-old man was charged with five counts of large commercial drug supply and deal with proceeds of crime.

Police will allege the man was the upline supplier of a syndicate operating out of an automotive store in Port Kembla.

He was refused bail to appear in Mount Druitt Local Court today.

Investigations under Strike Force Mote are continuing.