Simon Suleski, Salim Nehme: Two charged after police seize drugs worth $1.6M in major investigation

Two young men have been refused bail after police arrested them in dramatic scenes following a major drug investigation.

Police at the raids on December 16. Picture: NSW Police Force. 

Two men have been charged as part of a major investigation into the alleged supply of cocaine, meth and MDMA between the Illawarra and Sydney.

Simon Suleski, 22, and Salim Nehme, 26, were arrested in a major operation at Unanderra on Wednesday, after police allegedly seized more than $1.6 million worth of drugs.

Police allege the pair played “significant roles” in the syndicate, saying they were main people of interest.

“This was an intricate drug supply operation and certainly it was an extensive operation involving a lot of police from Sydney and the Illawarra,” Wollongong Police District Commander, Superintendent Evan Quarmby said.

One of the men being arrested on December 16. Picture: NSW Police Force

Strike Force Elfrida was established six months ago, with police allegedly seizing more than 1.2kg of cocaine, 850g of methylamphetamine and a kilogram of MDMA and ecstasy tablets.

Detectives swooped on a vehicle along Waverley Road, in Unanderra, about 2.30pm on Wednesday, arresting Nehme and Suleski.

Shortly after the arrest, police executed four search warrants at homes in Calderwood and Cordeaux Heights. Search warrants were also executed at homes in Bidwill and Arncliffe with the assistance of Penrith and Surry Hills Region Enforcement Squads.

The investigation culminated in a major arrest on Wednesday. Picture: NSW Police Force. 

During the searches, police allegedly seized several items including cocaine, cash and prohibited weapons.

Suleski was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug – large commercial quantity, five counts of supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity, seven counts of supply prohibited drug – indictable, four counts of supply prohibited drug, and deal with property proceeds of crime, and briefly faced Wollongong Local Court on Thursday, where he chose not to apply for bail.

Cash allegedly seized during the raids. Picture: NSW Police Force

He was supported in court by his partner, who is pregnant with their first child.

Nehme was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug – large commercial quantity, six counts of supply prohibited drug – commercial quantity, five counts of supply prohibited drug – indictable, three counts of supply prohibited drug, and deal with property proceeds of crime, he did not appear in court and was formally refused bail.

Simon Suleski. Picture: Facebook

Simon Suleski. Picture: Facebook

In court documents, police allege between September 30 and Wednesday, Suleski supplied more than 1.1kg of cocaine, 840 grams of meth and more than 1.1kg of MDMA.

Superintendent Quarmby said the charges were the culmination of months of investigations by local detectives.

“I want to reinforce the message that supplying drugs will not be tolerated in our community.

“We will continue to dismantle criminal networks operating in our region, even if we have to do it one by one,” Supt Quarmby said.