Kempsey police operation involving State Crime Command results in 20 arrests, alleged seizure of guns, drugs, ammo

About 120 detectives have arrested 20 people and allegedly seized cash, guns, ammo and drugs during a three-day operation targeting a Mid-North Coast town. Here’s what we know.

A three-day police operation at Kempsey involving about 120 detectives has resulted in 20 arrests and the alleged seizure of weapons, drugs and cash.

Police laid 28 charges and completed over 900 random breath and drug tests.

Search warrants and firearm compliance checks allegedly uncovered more than $40,000 cash, drugs, ammunition, weapons and a number of firearms.

Police allegedly seized drugs and guns. Picture: NSW Police

The State Crime Command’s Kempsey deployment was a multifaceted operation led by the Organised Crime Squad aimed at targeting, disrupting and preventing crime in the regional township and surrounds.

A three-day police deployment to Kempsey led to a large number of arrests. Picture: NSW Police

The operation began on Monday and wrapped up on Wednesday and involved the deployment of 120 detectives from all State Crime Command squads, who travelled to Kempsey to work in collaboration with officers from the Mid North Coast Police District and other specialist police commands.

As well as targeting crime, police also met with over 900 students across five schools and visited a number of local businesses, as part of a proactive approach to crime prevention and education.

Police allege drugs and weapons were among the items seized. Picture: NSW Police

Peter Faux, Organised Crime Squad Commander Detective Superintendent, said: “This model – where specialist squads and teams focus on a particular area for a short space of time – has already proven largely successful this year, and our time Kempsey was no different.”

“It was great to see our detectives and operatives working so collaboratively side-by-side with the Northern Region officers and other specialist officers deployed as part of the operation,” he said.

An image supplied by police of items alleged to have been seized. Picture: NSW Police

“Not only is model designed to lower and prevent crime in the area but having a surge of police in one place is a great opportunity for our officers to connect with different regional communities.”

Commander of Mid North Coast Police District, Superintendent Shane Cribb, welcomed the extra resources and said his “priority will always be the safety of the communities”

“Having the extra resources boosted our capabilities in not only crime-fighting, but crime prevention, which we expect will have a significant and lasting impact going forward.”