Bondi: Police plan to take down cocaine dealers in suburb

As Bondi gears up for a party season like no other, police have revealed the extraordinary measures they will take to stop the east from merrily snorting its way through to Christmas.

There will be no white Christmas in Bondi this year as police vow to take on the cocaine dial a dealers like never before.

Drug dogs, highway patrol armed with drug swabs and a veritable swarm of officers both in uniform and wearing their party pants to blend in to the crowds will be out in force each and every weekend.

Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Gretchen Atkins, said her officers were ready for the double whammy of Christmas and end of lockdown celebrations as restrictions continue to ease.

Insp Atkins said the blitz began the weekend before last with police seizing $50,000 worth of cocaine and $35,000 in cash – and they are only just getting started.

Just some of the cocaine seized earlier this month by police at Bondi.

The veteran officer said eastern suburbs police were particularly adept at blending in and took great pride in their undercover look.

“Our police come from all walks of life and genders. You take us out of our blues and it’s amazing – people don’t look twice,” Insp Atkins said.

“You might not spot us, but we will certainly spot you.

“The eastern suburbs seem to be getting a bit of a bad reputation with cocaine and we are going to put an end to it.”

Insp Atkins said they would both be calling on reinforcements and rostering their existing officers on during peak party periods to staff their mammoth series of drug operations.

Bondi cops say they are just getting started and will ramp up drug operations.

“We’ve planned based on the intelligence we have received and we will be putting our resources in all the right places at the right times,” Insp Atkins said.

“So if you were planning on coming to the east and dealing drugs or going out to buy them, I suggest you don’t as you will certainly be caught.”

The planned operations don’t just capture illegal drug use but also aim to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

Insp Atkins said there would be a zero-tolerance policy towards acts of violence and aggression.

Insp Atkins wants us all to have fun – but behave like grandma is watching. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

“Pretend you’re sitting next to your grandmother at the pub. If you wouldn’t swear and fight and throws drinks in front of her then maybe that’s a good benchmark to set for yourself,” Insp Atkins said.

“Having said all that, we want people to come out and enjoy themselves. Enjoy going out and enjoy the beautiful weather.

“We want to you to support all the businesses in Bondi who have done it so tough during lockdown. We just want you to do it safely.”

From December 1 patrons will be allowed dance, sing and drink standing up at nightclubs, which will still be subject to the 4 sqm rule, under the NSW restrictions roadmap.