Two charged after police allege Wollongong bike shop used as a front for drug supply
Police have raided a Wollongong bike shop less than 100 metres from the police station, that was allegedly a front for a drug supply network
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Detectives have 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 Friday, 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.
Wollongong Police crime manager Chief Inspector Brad Ainsworth said Strike Force Fame was established in May 2020, to investigate the supply of ‘ice’ from a business in Wollongong CBD after reports were received from the public.
“It's in the mall area, within 100 metres of the police station, we received information they were supplying drugs from there and we commenced an investigation,” he said.
“Purchases of methamphetamine have been made there and we’ve confirmed that.”
Insp Ainsworth said at least one of the men had allegedly bragged about his involvement the operation.
“It became evident (during the investigation) these two fellows, or one in particular, was boasting the fact he was supplying drugs from that location, one hundred metres from the police station right under our noses,” he said.
Police said they started investigating Custom Recycled Cycles after members of the public noticed increased foot traffic in the area.
“It’s very brazen, they are operating in the CBD, it s probably true to say that since they’ve been operating right through COVID they’ve been one of the busier business outlets in the mall, unfortunately,” Insp Ainsworth said.
“As we get from time to time, which is great to hear and see, is information from the public, and as our investigation commenced it was quite obvious they were getting a lot of foot traffic.”
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.
These items will undergo forensic examination.
The 48-year-old man was charged with 11 counts of drive motor vehicle during disqualification period.
The 55-year-old man was charged with 16 counts of supply prohibited drug, supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, six counts of never licensed person drive on road and organise/conduct/assist drug premises.