Illawarra drug raids: The biggest drug arrests of 2020
Drug squads across the Wollongong and Lake Illawarra were kept busy in 2020, seizing millions of dollars worth of drugs in several high-profile raids.
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2020 was a busy year for the Illawarra’s drug squads, with several arrests made over huge alleged drug syndicates, some of which police claim were responsible for the sale of millions of dollars worth of illicit substances.
From ice to GBL and cocaine, detectives from Wollongong and Lake Illawarra smashed several alleged drug rings, some of which were allegedly operating in hotels, shops and suburban backyards.
PORT KEMBLA MECHANIC RAIDED
In August 2020, detectives from Lake Illawarra Police District started investigating the supply methylamphetamine in the area.
Investigators searched AC Automotive store on Military Road, Port Kembla, about 7.40pm on September 30.
During a search of the store, officers seized almost half a kilogram of methylamphetamine – which has an estimated 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.
Hooper and Abdul-Hamid were released on bail while Tugaga remains on remand in custody.
A short time later, Strike Force Mote investigators executed a search warrant at a 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.
ALLEGED ICE, GBL SYNDICATE SMASHED BY POLICE
Police pounced on an Illawarra man accused of heading a drug syndicate allegedly responsible for the sale of GBL and ice at a local hotel after months of investigation in August last year.
Jason Amoroso was arrested at a hotel room at North Wollongong’s Novotel on August 7 by officers from Strike Force Ables.
The strike force had been investigating Amoroso since April over the alleged supply of GBL and methamphetamine, with police alleging he was “directing an ongoing and organised criminal group”.
It is alleged between April 23 and August 6 investigators monitored Amoroso as he supplied 955ml of GBL, while two more litres of the drug were also intercepted that were allegedly bound for Amoroso.
It was further alleged he would meet his buyers in different places he was living, including the Coniston Hotel and the Charles Hotel in Fairy Meadow.
Amoroso remains behind bars on remand after his bail was refused. He is yet to enter pleas to the charges.
MUM CHARGED OVER ‘SPARKLY GBL’
A glamorous Warilla mum allegedly caught dealing GBL she’d ‘trademarked’ with sparkly glitter was first arrested in April after police allege she was responsible for the supply of more than 28kg of the drug.
Taia Kakahi was first charged on April 17, after police pulled her over on the M1 at Figtree, noticing she was in the car with two other people – an alleged breach of COVID-19 laws at the time, a court heard at the time.
The traffic stop led to a search of the 37-year-old’s rental car, where police allegedly found three bottles of sparkly GBL, with an alleged street value of more than $14,000.
According to court documents, the additional charges related to the alleged supply of more than 28kg of GBL, as well as the alleged supply of 70 grams of methamphetamine.
The 37-year-old will remain behind bars on remand at Silverwater Correctional Centre until her next appearance in later this month. She is yet to enter pleas.
MAJOR UNANDERRA DRUG INVESTIGATION
Two men were charged as part of a major investigation into the alleged supply of cocaine, meth and MDMA between the Illawarra and Sydney in December.
Simon Suleski, 22, and Salim Nehme, 26, were arrested in a major operation at Unanderra, 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.
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.
Both men have been refused bail, with the matters still before the court.
BIKE SHOP BUST
In October of 2020, detectives swooped on a major drug supply network allegedly operating right under the nose of police in a Wollongong bicycle repair shop.
Detectives from Wollongong Police District raided Custom Recycled Cycles in Crown Street Mall on October 9, which police allege was a front for an ice supply network.
Police arrested a 48-year-old man at the store before arresting a second man – aged 55 – on Carr Street, Towradgi.
With the assistance of the Dog Unit and Wollongong PD Proactive Crime Team, strike force investigators executed a search warrant at the business, seizing prohibited weapons and number plates believed to be stolen.
BERKELEY MAN’S GARAGE RAIDED
Police allege a Berkeley man was running a “sophisticated” drug supply operation after he was allegedly “caught red-handed” with a Nike bag full of drugs during a raid on his home.
Robert Fitzgerald, 36, was charged with 10 drugs and weapons offences on October 7, after police raided his Massey Street home.
Police allege they caught Fitzgerald “red-handed”, finding him in possession of a Nike bag full of drugs and cash. Inside the bag, police allegedly found a total of 59.1 grams of meth, with a street value of between $20,000 and $30,000, and more than $9600 cash.
On the bench where Fitzgerald was sitting when police swarmed the property, police allege they found seven ice pipes, a mobile phone, scales and a number of small zip lock bags, as well as two extendible batons and a slingshot.
Fitzgerald remains behind bars on remand. He is yet to enter pleas to his charges.
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