Seven people charged over alleged drug supply in Sutherland

Seven people were arrested in raids at Sutherland, Kirrawee and Caringbah following a strike force investigation into the alleged supply of ‘ice’ in area. Find out what happened in court.

Seven people have fronted court after they were arrested in sweeping raids across Sutherland over their alleged involvement in supplying meth.

Sutherland Shire police officers executed search warrants at homes on Tuesday and Thursday morning where drugs, cash and weapons were found following an investigation by Strike Force Glenogle.

The unit was established in January 2022 to investigate the sale of methylamphetamine, commonly referred to as ice.

Detectives raided two premises in Glencoe Street, Sutherland, about 6.30am on Tuesday where meth, $4190 cash and prohibited weapons including an electronic stun device, knives and a whip were seized.

Three men, Robert Brown, 53, David Te Whare, 34 and Keith Dehler, 51, and two women Michelle Wise, 63 and Tamara Terrens, 39, were arrested and taken to Sutherland Police Station.

Detectives executed a further search warrant at a premise on the Princes Highway, Kirrawee, about 7am the same morning where they seized methylamphetamine, heroin, precursor chemicals, $17,050 cash and prohibited weapons including a slingshot and flick knife.

A 48-year-old man, Tim Newton, was arrested and also taken to Sutherland Police Station. He was charged with three counts of supplying an indictable quantity of prohibited drugs, two counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without permit, owner/occupier knowingly allowing use as drug premise, dealing with the proceeds of crime, and three counts of possessing prohibited drug.

Brown was charged with supplying a commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, supplying an indictable quantity of prohibited drugs, knowingly or recklessly direct criminal group, deal with proceeds of crime and possess prohibited drug.

Te Whare was charged with supplying an indictable quantity of prohibited drug, supplying prohibited drug and participating in a criminal group.

Dahler was charged with supplying a small amount of prohibited drugs and participating in a criminal group.

Wise was charged with two counts of supplying an indictable quantity of prohibited drug, possessing or using a prohibited weapon without permit, participating in a criminal group, owner/occupier knowingly allowing use as drug premise, and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Terrens was charged with two counts of supplying an indictable quantity of prohibited drug, four counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without permit, owner/occupier knowingly allowing use as drug premise, dealing with the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.

Brown, Dahler, Wise and Terrens appeared at Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday and were formally refused bail to appear at the same court on June 6, except for Brown who will return to court on July 18.

Te Whare appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday where police opposed bail noting the prosecution case against him appeared strong and would rely on telephone intercepts.

Police allege he actively supplied drugs on a number of occasions.

The court heard Te Whare was born in New Zealand and was now a permanent Australian resident.

His lawyer said he needed to be at liberty to look for two young family members who had recently gone missing.

She said Te Whare could live at his house in Bowral where he was responsible for and worked on a farm looking after animals and did maintenance work.

Magistrate Philip Stewart said Te Whare was already on bail for dishonesty matters at the time of the alleged drug supply but noted his record was otherwise limited.

Magistrate Stewart noted that when police arrived at the house during the raid, Te Whare allegedly jumped off the balcony to escape custody but was arrested a short time later with other members of the alleged criminal syndicate.

Magistrate Stewart refused to grant him bail and his case was adjourned to June 6.

Following further inquiries, detectives attended a premises in Flide Street, Caringbah, about 8.30am on Thursday and executed a search warrant, seizing mobile phones and a NSW Police Force badge.

Vicki Walton, a 62-year-old woman, was arrested and taken to Sutherland Police Station where she was charged with supplying an indictable quantity of prohibited drugs, participating in a criminal group and not police officer/special constable possessing a police uniform.

Walton appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday where she was refused bail. She will return to court on June 6.