Strike Force Wirrinda: Fraser Unterwerger accused of supplying cannabis, MDMA
A drug-laden “Bluey” toy and a cache of rifles were among the items police allegedly seized during a sweeping cross-border operation. The four men allegedly involved have been revealed.
The South Coast News
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The identities of four men arrested in sweeping cross-border police raids targeting the sale of drugs on the NSW south coast have been revealed after police allegedly uncovered a drug-laden “Bluey” children’s toy.
Officers from the South East and Monaro Region Enforcement Squad launched simultaneous raids across the Batemans Bay area on September 28, with ACT Police conducting two more searches in Braddon and Mitchell.
During their search, officers from the NSW and ACT Police allegedly located and seized seven firearms, gel blasters, a replica handgun, ammunition, gunpowder, two poker machines, and about 1kg of tobacco.
A cocktail of drugs, including cannabis, steroids, and a crystallised substance believed to be MDMA, was also allegedly seized, along with $1600 in cash, a hydraulic pill press, and a prohibited laser pointer.
Four men were charged following the operation, including Fraser John Unterwerger, 24, and Brendon Raymond Smith, 45, who were both arrested at separate properties in North Batemans Bay on September 28.
Unterweger will face seven counts of supplying a prohibited drug, as well as taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug; supplying prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis; possession of a prohibited firearm; participating in a criminal group; and contributing to criminal activity.
Separately, Smith is charged with possessing an unauthorised prohibited firearm, possessing ammunition without holding a licence, two counts of possessing a prohibited weapon without permit, and possessing an unapproved gaming machine. He is not facing any drug-related charges.
Appearing at Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, Lawyer Matilda Bogart asked for a two week adjournment.
Ms Bogart told Magistrate Doug Dick that Smith intended to plead guilty, but was negotiating with police over the agreed facts. He would return to Batemans Bay Local Court on November 14.
Following the raid, ACT Police also arrested alleged Canberra bikie Tyler McKenna, 26, at his Braddon home.
McKenna was extradited to Queanbeyan Local Court on September 29 where he was refused bail.
He faces four offences, including two counts of supplying a prohibited drug; supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug; and knowingly or recklessly directing a criminal group to assist in crime.
The fourth man, Taren Ronald Hayles, 23, was arrested at Batemans Bay police station where he was charged with 10 offences, including manufacture of a prohibited drug greater than indictable quantity.
Hayles will face five counts of supplying a prohibited drug; supplying and possessing a prohibited drug; supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis; participation in a criminal group, contributing to criminal activity.
He appeared before Batemans Bay Local Court on September 29, where he was granted conditional bail.
He will return to the court later this year.
Unterweger will also return to Batemans Bay Local Court on November 7.
Heralded as a success by police, the raids came almost a year after officers from the South Coast Police District established Strike Force Wirrinda to investigate reports of drug supply on the South Coast, namely MDMA.
South coast crime manager, acting inspector Ian Griffin, said in a statement last month that the raids were the culmination of state and territory officers working together for a joint cause.
“This goes to show that we will use all resources available from both NSW and the ACT in order to disrupt and prevent crime,” acting Insp Griffin said.
ACT Policing’s officer in charge of criminal investigations, detective inspector Mark Steel said it was a great outcome for both NSW Police Force and ACT Policing.
“We work very closely with all our interstate colleagues to disrupt cross-border criminal activity occurring in the ACT and surrounding region
“The success of this operation ultimately means there are less drugs and weapons on our streets and that can only be a good thing,” Insp Steel said.
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