Banora Point homes searched by NSW Drug Squad in alleged ANOM bust

Tweed Shire addresses were part of a major search into the alleged distribution and supply of drugs across the state.

Four people have been charged after raids across NSW, including the Tweed region, for the alleged distribution and supply of prohibited drugs.

An investigation into drug supply by users of the encrypted ‘ANOM’ application was launched by the State Crime Command’s Drug and Firearms Squad in June 2021 but further arrests were made on Wednesday.

Following extensive investigations, police executed five search warrants in Banora Point, Bobin, Elermore Vale, Wickham, and Medowie.

According to a NSW Police statement, detectives were assisted by officers from Tweed-Byron, Manning Great Lakes, Newcastle City and Port Stephens Police Districts as well as specialist police and dog handlers from the Australian Border Force (ABF).

During subsequent searches, police seized a shot gun, ammunition, cannabis leaf, cash, numerous electronic devices including a Dedicated Encrypted Communication Device (DECD), documentation, and other items.

No Banora Point residents were arrested as a result of the searches but four other NSW residents given a court date, including,

• A 31-year-old Bobin man who was charged with seven offences, including two counts of supplying a prohibited drug more than large commercial quantity, supplying a prohibited drug larger than a commercial quantity, cultivating a prohibited plant larger than the commercial quantity, import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, knowingly directing activities of a criminal group, and knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime. He was refused bail and will appear before Taree Local Court on June 22, 2022.
• A 54-year-old Elermore Vale man was charged with supplying prohibited drugs more than indictable amount, two counts of supplying a prohibited drug more than large commercial quantity, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity. He was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court on Friday.

• A 38-year-old Wickham man was charged with two counts of supplying a prohibited drug more than a large commercial quantity, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group and contributing criminal activity. He was refused bail and will appear at Newcastle Local Court on June 16, 2022.

• A 51-year-old Medowie woman was charged with two counts of supplying prohibited drug more than a large commercial quantity, possessing ammunition without holding a license or permit or authority, possessing an unauthorised firearm, possessing a prohibited drug, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity. She was refused bail and will appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on June 20,2022.

It will be alleged all four were variously involved in the cultivation and supply of significant quantities of prohibited drugs between October 2019 and June 2021.

Speaking generally Drug and Firearms Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Watson, said the data left behind by criminals exposed during Operation Ironside continues to yield results for investigators.

“We will be alleging this syndicate was involved in the cultivation and supply of cannabis and other prohibited drugs including cocaine and MDMA on a large commercial scale,” Det Supt Watson said.

He said police would further allege that “these individuals were directly linked to high-ranking overseas members of the Comanchero OMCG and each played a role in carrying out the illicit activities of the syndicate at the expense of our community.

Speaking generally he said “those who used the ANOM phones to facilitate serious organised crime should know that it is only a matter of time until you are prosecuted for your criminal endeavours.”

Originally published as Banora Point homes searched by NSW Drug Squad in alleged ANOM bust