Police carry out drug raid to shocking property on Sydney’s northern beaches

FOR the eighth time in six years, police carried out a raid on a northern beaches property that has to be seen to be believed.

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POLICE raided a property in Brookvale this morning — the eighth time they’ve done so in the past six years — and arrested a man and a woman who live there.

But police had to deal with a hoarders’ paradise of rubbish and debris on the industrial property in Mitchell Rd, as well as piles of bicycle parts, electrical goods and other items that will have to be checked to see if they are stolen.

They also raided a property at Oceana St at Narraweena as part of their investigation into property thefts and the supply of drugs on the northern beaches and arrested two more people.

Part of the property in Mitchell Rd at Brookvale raided by police. Picture: John Morcombe

Debris at the property in Mitchell Rd at Brookvale Picture: John Morcombe

After members of the Riot Squad raided the Mitchell Rd property about 8am, a drug-detection dog was used to identify the possible location of drugs on the large property.

The officers from Northern Beaches local area command then began the painstaking task of sorting through the piles of debris inside the small, squalid bedroom that was formerly an office on the site, as well as the extensive open-air space behind it and a very large workshop at the rear of the property.

They allegedly found ice, cannabis and a large quantity of goods suspected of being stolen, including bicycles.

Police have to search through the rubbish on the property in Mitchell Rd at Brookvale. Picture: John Morcombe

The hoarders’ paradise of rubbish and debris at Brookvale. Picture: John Morcombe

The site was formerly a panel beaters’ workshop but has not been used for that purpose for years and has periodically been raided by police.

At the home in Oceana St at Narraweena, police allegedly found mobile phones, a bicycle and a quantity of tools suspected of being stolen.

Northern Beaches crime manager Insp Craig Wonders said police have been frustrated by the reports ongoing allegedly criminal activity at the Mitchell Rd address.

Bikes and other junk. Picture: John Morcombe

Bicycle wheels in the property in Mitchell Rd at Brookvale Picture: John Morcombe

He said the property had previously been raided seven times in the past six years and that drugs, stolen property and weapons has been found.

“Despite the continued policing of the premises, until now strategies have failed to halt crimes allegedly occurring at the location,” he said.

“In June this year, Northern Beaches police established Strike Force Pappong to target the activities of people residing at and frequenting the location.

The property in Mitchell Rd at Brookvale. Picture: John Morcombe

Police at the scene. Picture: John Morcome

“As a consequence of that investigation, police executed two search warrants — one at a home in Narraweena and one at a property in Brookvale and four people were arrested.

“Police allege they have been involved in the possession and supply of drugs, mainly ice, and have also been involved in the receiving and disposal of stolen goods.

A Brookvale man, 46, has been charged with two counts of the ongoing supply of ice, two counts of supplying the drug GHB, one of supplying ecstasy, two of supplying cannabis, aggravated break, enter and steal, aggravated stealing from a dwelling being an owner-occupier allowing premises to be used for drugs, dealing in the proceeds of crime and being part of a criminal group.

A car on the property in Mitchell Rd at Brookvale. Picture: John Morcombe

A Brookvale woman, 53, has been charged with two counts of supplying ice, dealing in the proceeds of crime, being part of a criminal group and being an owner-occupier allowing premises to be used as a drug house.

A Narraweena man, 25, has been charged with two counts of supplying ice, two counts of aggravated stealing from a dwelling and with being part of a criminal group.

A Narraweena woman has been charged with two counts of supplying ice, one of possessing cannabis and with being part of a criminal group.

Insp Wonders said he anticipates more charges will be laid as police sorted through the large amount of goods suspected of being stolen.

“It’s hoped these raids and the investigation that led up to them will see an end to what can only be described as entrenched criminal behaviour.”