Jermaine Lucy Piana: Brownsville woman charged with drug supply

A Lake Illawarra woman has been charged after police found a handbag full of the drug ice and thousands of dollars’ cash as part of an investigation into large-scale drug supply.

A Lake Illawarra woman has been charged over a handbag full of meth and cash as police cracked down on alleged large-scale drug supply between Sydney and the Illawarra.

Detectives from Lake Illawarra Police District deployed the Highway Patrol and Polair when they pulled over Jermaine Lucy Piana, 33, at Unanderra just before 11.30pm on April 26.

Officers from Strike Force Mote – established in May 2020 to investigate organised crime and large-scale drug supply – allegedly seized almost 100g of methamphetamine in the woman’s handbag along with more than $3000 cash.

Jermaine Lucy Piana.

During subsequent searches at homes in Barrack Heights and Maianbar, officers allegedly seized small quantities of methamphetamine and items consistent with prohibited drug supply.

Piana was arrested and charged with two counts of supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, two counts of prohibited drug supply, and two counts of knowingly dealing with crime proceeds.

The Brownsville woman faced Wollongong Local Court on April 27, where she was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court on June 22.

Following further investigations, police executed three simultaneous raids at homes in Campsie and Croydon Park on May 5.

Officers allegedly seized a safe containing 1.5L of gamma butyrolactone, methamphetamine, mobile phones, cash, electronic equipment, and two vehicles.

Two men aged 39 and 42 were also arrested and taken to Campsie police station.

The 42-year-old man was charged with 21 offences, including knowingly directing a criminal group, large commercial drug supply, and 18 counts of indictable prohibited drug supply.

The 39-year-old man was charged with participating in a criminal group, four counts of indictable drug supply, and commercial drug supply.

Both men were refused bail to appear at Bankstown Local Court on May 6.

To date, with the assistance of the NSW Crime Commission, Strike Force Mote investigators have arrested 16 people and laid more than 140 charges relating to fraud, commercial drug supply and firearm offences.

More than 5kg of methylamphetamine, 1.6kg of cocaine and 1kg of heroin have been seized, with an estimated street value in excess of $5 million.

Lake Illawarra Police District Crime Manager Glen Broadhead said the investigation spanned multiple police districts and local area commands.

“The message we are sending is clear; our policing efforts do not stop at the district border,” Detective Chief Inspector Broadhead said.

“We will continue to work with our colleagues from neighbouring police districts and police area commands, and we will do everything in our power to keep drugs off our streets.”

The strike force has been investigating organised crime links between Sydney and the Illawarra for the last two years.

Investigations are continuing, with further arrests expected to be made.