Northern beaches: Alleged drug syndicate smashed, weapons seized
Police say a special strike force set up to target drug suppliers has smashed a dealer syndicate allegedly operating across the northern beaches.
Manly
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A massive police operation has led to the smashing of a “major syndicate” allegedly supplying drugs like cocaine and ecstasy across the northern beaches.
In a series of raids and arrests, officers from Strike Force Prendergast have also allegedly seized potentially deadly weapons — including a crossbow, electric stun gun and military-style replica guns — as well as large amounts of prohibited drugs.
Three local men are now before the courts facing multiple charges related to drugs and weapons offences.
Strike Force Prendergast, an ongoing operation by the Strike Force Team within the Northern Beaches Police Area Command, was formed in May to target local drug suppliers.
On May 6, in consultation with investigators from Coffs Harbour, Prendergast detectives went to a home in Barrenjoey Rd, Palm Beach, armed with a search warrant.
A man, 22, was arrested after officers allegedly found 115 grams of cocaine, 14 grams of ecstasy as well as two replica firearms, an electric stun gun.
They also allegedly uncovered an array of ID documents including driver’s licences and bank cards as well as $7520 cash.
The man was charged with supplying an indictable quantity of prohibited drugs as well as firearms, proceeds of crime and identification offences.
Further investigations led to police served a Firearms Prohibition Order and Weapons Prohibition Order on an associate of the charged man.
Then on May 26, at Newport, police searched the home of the associate, a 31-year-old man, at Newport.
Police allegedly found a four replica firearms, a crossbow, knuckledusters, an extendible baton, slingshot, taser, nun-chucks, dart projector and multiple prohibited knives.
They also allege a small amount of steroids and cannabis was also located.
The man was charged with multiple firearm and prohibited weapons offences and several drug offences. He is due to appear at Manly Local Court on August 19.
On Thursday last week Strike Force Prendergast detectives stopped and searched a 22-year-old man, an associate of the other two men who they suspected was involved in drug supply. Police allegedly found him carrying 116 grams of cocaine.
Subsequent searches of homes in Narrabeen, Avalon and Palm Beach allegedly uncovered cash as well as evidence pertaining to the male’s alleged involvement in drug supply.
He was charged with indictable drug supply as well as ongoing drug supply and will next appear in Manly Local Court on October 7.
Strike Force Team leader Michael Keegan said the investigation had dismantled an alleged drug supply syndicate operating on the northern beaches.
“It has resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of prohibited drugs destined for consumption within the northern beaches,” Det. Sgt Keegan
“It has also resulted in the removal of a number of prohibited firearms and weapons that ultimately make the northern beaches a safer place.”
Det Sgt Keegan said the work of Strike Force Prendergast is not done.
“We will look at you, we will find you and we will prosecute you.”