Newcastle drug bust: Four arrested in alleged party drug, gun ring bust

Police seized almost $30,000 in cash, cannabis, LSD and MDMA when they raided a number of homes across Newcastle as part of a huge sting targeting drugs and guns trafficking in the area.

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Four people have been charged with drug and firearm offences on the state’s north coast following a number of raids on Wednesday.

Three arrests were made by officers attached to Strike Force Bassy, a specialist police unit cracking down on drug and firearm dealing in the Newcastle region.

Police seized almost $30,000 in cash, cannabis, LSD, MDMA, prescription medication, a laptop and mobile phones when they raided homes in New Lambton, Mayfield, Hamilton and Sandgate.

Three men have been arrested following an investigation into the supply of firearms and drugs in the Newcastle region. Picture: NSW Police

Drugs, guns and cash were seized in separate raids. Picture: NSW Police

Cash seized totalled $30,000. Picture: NSW Police

Corby Northey, 24, was arrested at a home on Turton Rd, New Lambton and was charged with possession of a pump action .22 rifle and dealing with the proceeds of crime, totalling more than $16,000.

A few minutes drive away, Timothy Michael Jordan, 49, was arrested at a unit on Beaumont Street, Hamilton, and charged with gun possession and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

At nearby Mayfield, David William Forbes, 49, was arrested at a Carrington Street unit and was charged with drug supply of MDMA and possession of 15 grams of MDMA.

A 49-year-old man was arrested at a home in Hamilton Picture: NSW Police

Another man, aged 49, was arrested at a Mayfield unit. Picture: NSW Police

In Newcastle Local Court on Thursday Mr Northey and Mr Jordan were bail refused. Their matters were adjourned until June 25.

Meanwhile, solicitor Ian Bruce pleaded not guilty on behalf of Mr Forbes who didn’t make an appearance.

He was granted conditional bail - which was not opposed by the prosecution - where he must reside at a Mayfield address and report to Waratah Police Station three times a week.

His matter was adjourned until July.

In another raid at Wallsend, Jason Shane Dippel, 47, was arrested and charged with 34 offences.

Those included 27 counts of supplying hundreds of grams of methylamphetamine at various locations over two months, four counts of possess a prohibited drug, possess prescription restricted substance diazepam tablets, acquire ammunition subject to firearm prohibition order and knowingly allow premises to be used as drug premises.

Newcastle Police Commander Brett Greentree said police would continue to swoop on those in possession of guns and drugs in the region.

“These arrests will dismantle some of the local supply chains throughout the Newcastle area,” Detective Superintendent Greentree said.

“Newcastle City officers will continue to target those offenders who are determined to disrupt our community.”

Investigations into Strike Force Bassy are continuing with more arrests expected