Riverina drug arrests: Eight more people arrested as strike force brings down alleged drug ring
A police strike force has made further inroads into an alleged drug ring in southern NSW with eight more people charged with multiple offences.
The Wagga News
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Police have arrested a further eight people in relation to an alleged drug ring across the Riverina.
Between last Thursday and Monday, police arrested eight men aged between 19 and 31.
A 31-year-old was charged with eight drug supply offences while a 22-year-old was charged with seven drug supply offences. Both are also facing one count each of participating in a criminal group.
Five 19-year-olds and one 30-year-old were also charged with drug supply offences.
All of the accused have been granted bail with six of the men scheduled to face Wagga Local Court on March 25.
The other two are set for April 25.
The latest string of charges come after two men and two women were arrested last week for their alleged roles in the supply of MDMA, amphetamines and cocaine throughout the region.
Nathan Jack Job, 20, Hayden Benjamin Stirling, 24, and Courtney Hinneberg, 22 — three of the initial four arrested — faced court last week when they were refused bail.
All three were charged with knowingly take part in the supply of prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug and participate in criminal group.
Job was also charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime, knowingly direct activities of a criminal group and possess prohibited weapon.
Job and Hinneberg have not pleaded to their charges while Stirling has pleaded not guilty to all of his.
Their appearances came after police pounced on homes in Kooringal, North Wagga and Mount Austin where they seized MDMA, amphetamines, cocaine, more than $10,000 and two cars.
Another woman, a 20-year-old, was arrested in North Wagga last week and is scheduled to face court on April 8.
The 12 arrests are the result of Strike Force Merrigong, established in December last year by the Southern Region Enforcement Squad to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Riverina.
Southern Region Operations Manager, Detective Superintendent Kevin McNeil said local drug supply will take a major hit as a result of these arrests.
“These arrests highlight the great work being undertaken by our Region Enforcement Squad alongside local police,” Detective Superintendent McNeil said.
Anyone with information about the supply of illegal drugs is urged to contact Wagga Police Station on 6922 2599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police inquiries are continuing.