Nine people have been arrested and 12 properties searched at Murray Bridge as a result of a nine-month long investigation by SA Police into the trafficking of methamphetamine.
Police from the Serious and Organised Crime Branch (SOCB), with the assistance of local officers, searched a series of properties today.
Arrested today were:
* A 27-year-old man from Murray Bridge who has been charged with three counts of trafficking a controlled drug.
* A 48-year-old woman from Murray Bridge who has been charged with seven counts of trafficking a controlled drug.
* A 34-year-old woman from Murray Bridge who has been charged with one firearm offence.
* A 27-year-old man from Murray Bridge who has been charged with one count of trafficking a controlled drug.
* A 43-year-old man from Sherlock who has been charged with one count of trafficking a controlled drug
Arrested prior to today as a result of the investigation were four people:
* A 31-year-old man from Murray Bridge who has been charged with one count of trafficking a controlled drug.
* A 43-year-old man from Murray Bridge who has been charged with two counts of trafficking a controlled drug.
* A 42-year-old man from Murray Bridge who has been charged with one count of trafficking a controlled drug.
* A 35-year-old man from Murray Bridge who has been charged with one count of trafficking a controlled drug.
It is expected the accused arrested today will be granted police bail to appear before the Murray Bridge Magistrates Court at a later date.
Police allege eight of the offenders have been trafficking methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’, in the Murray Bridge area.
Detective Chief Inspector Tony Crameri, the officer in charge of the Drug and Organised Crime Task Force, said today that as part of Operation ATLAS his area regularly works collaboratively with local police to target the supply of methylamphetamine in the community.
“Methylamphetamine has a damaging impact upon our community, particularly in regards to health and law and order,” he said.
“The harms associated with illicit drug use, including Ice, are often magnified in rural and isolated communities.
“This investigation, conducted under the framework of the Operation ATLAS (Amphetamine Type Substance Plan) which is focused on disrupting the methylamphetamine trade, is an example of police actively targeting drug dealers based in country locations.
“The community can assist with this effort by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 with information about the sale and manufacture of illicit drugs in the community.”
