Central Metropolitan Region Enforcement Squad (RES) South investigators have charged 187 people, seized more than $250,000 cash and more than 630g cocaine, as part of a targeted “Dial-a-Dealer” operation across Sydney ahead of the Christmas holiday season.
In September 2017, investigators from Central Metropolitan RES South established Strike Force Northrop to investigate and target the ongoing supply of cocaine across Sydney.
As part of ongoing investigations, targeted police operations were conducted on eight nights over three weeks in November and December this year.
Investigators also executed seven search warrants at homes at Kellyville, Narwee, Newtown, Ramsgate, Surry Hills, Woolloomooloo and Zetland.
RES investigators were assisted throughout the operation by officers from Eastern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, Kings Cross, Leichhardt, South Sydney, St George, Sutherland Shire, Surry Hills and Sydney City police area commands.
In total, officers seized more than 633g cocaine, 192g cannabis and 1.2kg cannabis gummies, 61g MDMA, 19g ketamine, 11g heroin, 14g psilocybin mushrooms, LSD tabs and $255,635 cash.
The total estimated potential street value of the drugs seized is more than $280,000.
Investigators charged 101 people with drug supply and charged 82 people with drug possession, and a further three people were charged with dealing with proceeds of crime, while another was charged over an alleged domestic violence-related incident.
Significant incidents include,
Just after 3.20pm on Thursday 17 November 2022, officers observed suspicious behaviour on Hickson Avenue, Kellyville, before stopping a Toyota Kluger and speaking with the 31-year-old male driver. During a search of his vehicle, police located three bags of cocaine. He was given a Court Attendance Notice for possess prohibited drug. A short time later, a search warrant was executed at a home nearby, where police seized 25g cocaine and $70,595 cash. A 27-year-old man was arrested at the home and taken to Castle Hill Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of drug supply, supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis, and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime. He is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday (14 December 2022).
About 6pm on Friday 25 November 2022, officers stopped and searched a Hyundai on Harrington Street, Sydney, and located 14 bags of cocaine and $2250 cash. The driver – a 22-year-old man – was arrested and charged with two counts of drug supply and deal with property proceeds of crime. The Raby man was refused bail and appeared at Parramatta Bail Court, where he was granted bail and is next due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on 19 January 2023. A 44-year-old woman, who was stopped and searched nearby, was issued with a Court Attendance Notice after police located six bags of cocaine on her. She is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 2 February 2023.
About 7.30pm on Saturday 26 November 2022, police stopped and searched a Volkswagen on Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill, locating 11 bags of cocaine and $1500 cash. The 19-year-old male driver was arrested and charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and deal with property proceeds of crime. He is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 23 December 2022. The passenger, a 43-year-old Bellevue Hill man, who was found to be in possession of five bags of cocaine, was charged by way of a Court Attendance Notice for possess prohibited drug.
As part of proactive patrols in Sydney CBD, officers stopped and searched a Honda Accord on Clarence Street about 4.40pm on Friday 2 December 2022. Police seized 25 bags of cocaine and more than $3000 cash before arresting the 34-year-old male driver. He was charged with supply prohibited drug and deal with property proceeds of crime. He appeared at Downing Centre Local Court yesterday (Monday 12 December 2022). The 29-year-old female passenger was issued a Court Attendance Notice for possess prohibited drug to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 13 January 2023.
About 9.15pm on Saturday 3 December 2022, officers stopped and searched a Toyota Corolla on Wyanbar Road, Cronulla, locating cocaine and $3040 cash. The 27-year-old male driver was arrested and charged with supply prohibited drug and deal with property proceeds of crime. He is due to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday 22 December 2022. During a search of the passenger – a 53-year-old man – police located a bag of cocaine. He was issued a Court Attendance Notice to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday 19 January 2023.
About 9.15pm on Friday (9 December 2022), officers stopped a Mitsubishi Outlander on Pitt Street, Sydney. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police located 21 bags of cocaine and $1560 cash. The driver – a 53-year-old Greenacre man – was arrested and charged with two counts of drug supply and deal with property proceeds of crime. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 20 December 2022.
About 10pm on Friday (9 December 2022), officers stopped an Audi on Bond Street, Sydney, and spoke with two men, both aged 22. Following a search of the vehicle, police seized 14 bags of cocaine, 10 MDMA pills and $600 cash. The driver was arrested and charged with three counts of drug supply and deal with property proceeds of crime. The passenger was charged with two counts of drug supply and deal with property proceeds of crime. Both men were granted strict conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday 20 December 2022. A third man, who was arrested nearby, was issued a Court Attendance Notice for possess prohibited drug.
Investigations under Strike Force Northrop are ongoing.
Anyone with information about the supply of prohibited drugs and other criminal activities in their community is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
