In May, sky-rocketing rates of cocaine use in the eastern suburbs prompted cops to act. All they had to do over a few weekends to nab 55 people was stand on the street and literally watch the brazen deals go down before slapping on handcuffs.
Cocaine offences are on the rise in the eastern suburbs, prompting a major crackdown from cops.
In the last few months, police have poured a significant amount of resources into putting dealers behind bars and getting a grip on the scourge.
Strike Force Northrop, for example, nabbed 55 people on a string of charges in May as detectives looked to smash a dial-a-dealer ring operating out of Sydney’s east.
Caught up in the busts were a chiropractor and everyone from casual users to corporate types native to the eastern suburbs, with cocaine now the number one drug of choice in the area.
Among their targets were the party strips of Bondi, Coogee and Paddington — and major events — with celebrities also caught up in detectives’ sweeping operations.
Police facts for a case involving former NRL star Mark Geyer’s daughter Montana, who was caught with cocaine at Randwick’s All Aged Stakes Day, stated detectives had targeted the races as it was “generally known for cocaine supply and use”.
Former Bachelorette Sam Frost’s boyfriend Dave Bashford was caught with the drug in similar fashion, with a police dog leading officers to cocaine in his pocket in a Bondi bar.
Both had no conviction recorded against them.
Since March last year cocaine use and possession offences have risen astronomically - by 98 per cent in the Woollahra local government area and 63 per cent in the Waverley local government area - prompting police to take to the streets and smash what they believe are criminal syndicates.
The Northrop arrests came without the need for high-tech policing, with detectives literally standing on the streets waiting for deals to go down before cracking out the handcuffs.
Earlier this month, police deployed a similar tactic to catch brazen dealers selling drugs in Woolloomooloo.
Officers from Kings Cross and Surry Hills watched as a man entered a car and left with cocaine, arresting both him and the driver.
Just a few hours later, they struck twice more, with four dealers and users arrested in the same spot.
“Eastern Suburbs Police will continue to target drug offences within the command,” Acting Inspector Meagan Finlay said.
“We encourage community members to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 with any information relating to drug activity.”
Here’s what you can expect with tomorrow’s Parramatta weather
As spring sets in what can locals expect tomorrow? We have the latest word from the Weather Bureau.
FBI warning as Israel reveals how it will mark October 7
A chilling message has been issued as Israel prepares to mark the grim anniversary of the attack that changed the world. See the photos, video.