Elizabeth Ann Cox and George Stamatakopoulos charged in Maitland by drug squad officers
Two people have been charged after Strike Force Callard was established to investigate an alleged drug syndicate working across parts of the Lower Hunter.
Police & Courts
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A woman allegedly in charge of a drug operation feeding Maitland with “ice” has been arrested as part of a significant investigation which has netted $65,000 in cash, more than 350g of methamphetamine and prohibited weapons, police say.
Elizabeth Ann Cox, 42, was formally charged on Tuesday with 33 offences, including commercial drug supply, firearms and proceeds of crime allegations.
It follows her arrest on November 25 after Strike Force Callard investigators raided a Thompson St home and allegedly found 67g of “ice” and $12,000 in cash.
Police will also allege they found three prohibited replica firearms, a stun gun and a small quantity of LSD during the search warrant.
Two cars, including a Jaguar, were seized.
It followed investigators from Strike Force Callard, comprising officers from the Port Stephens-Hunter police district’s property drug squad with assistance from the Hunter region enforcement squad, stopping a car in Maitland Park about 2.30pm on November 25.
Inside, they allegedly found $55,000 in cash and 300g of “ice”.
It will be alleged that the car’s driver, 48-year-old Campbelltown man George Stamatakopoulos, had driven the drugs from Sydney.
Stamatakopoulos faced Maitland Local Court on November 26 on charges including supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, knowingly dealing in the proceeds of crime and possessing a prohibited drug.
He did not apply for bail and was formally remanded in custody to reappear in Maitland Local Court on January 19.
Cox faced Maitland Local Court on Tuesday afternoon after she was charged following her release from hospital.
The 42-year-old faced a total of 33 charges. They included one count of dealing a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and 23 other drug supply charges, knowingly deal in the proceeds of crime and firearm offences.
She was refused bail to reappear in Maitland Local Court on December 21.
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