Nine people have been charged as part of investigations into an alleged illicit drug-supply operation in the state’s North.
In August 2021, detectives attached to New England Police District established Strike Force Payphone to investigate the supply of methylamphetamine in the Moree area.
Following extensive investigations, strike force officers, assisted by officers attached to New England Police District’s Target Action Group (TAG), Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) and Proactive Crime Team (PCT), executed six search warrants shortly after 6am today (Wednesday 2 March 2022), at homes throughout Moree.
The operation was also supported by the Western Region Enforcement Squad, Domestic Violence High-Risk Offenders Team and the Inverell Dog Unit.
Just after 7am, a 34-year-old man was arrested at a home on Morton Street, Moree and taken to Moree Police Station.
He was charged with over 130 counts of drug supply offences and refused bail, to appear at Inverell Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 3 March 2022).
At a home on Drummond Street, officers executed a search warrant and seized a bag containing white substance believed to be methylamphetamine, a sling shot, an interstate police badge, cannabis, drug paraphernalia, and two mobile phones.
A 41-year-old man was arrested and taken to Moree Police Station.
He has been charged with supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, goods suspected stolen in/on premises, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, buy prohibited weapon when not authorised to possess it, and cultivate prohibited plant. The man was given conditional bail to appear at Moree Local Court on Monday 11 April 2022.
A 30-year-old man was arrested at a home in Teak Place following a search warrant and taken to Moree Police Station, where he was charged with five counts of fail to comply with reporting obligations, supply prohibited drug, and possess prohibited drugs. He was refused bail to appear at Inverell Local court tomorrow (Thursday 3 March 2022).
Officers executed a search warrant at a home on Carnarvon Highway, where they located and seized methylamphetamine and cash. A 70-year-old woman and two men – aged 42 and 29 – were taken to Moree Police Station.
The woman was charged with owner/occupier knowingly allow use as drug premises, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and two counts of supply prohibited drug. She was given conditional bail to appear at Moree Local Court on Monday 11 April 2022.
The 42-year old man was charged with owner/occupier knowingly allow use as drug premises, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and two counts of supply prohibited drug. He was refused bail to appear at Inverell Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 3 March 2022).
The 29-year-old man was charged with owner/occupier knowingly allow use as drug premises, four counts of supply prohibited drug, supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, and knowingly direct activities of criminal group. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Moree Local Court on Monday 11 April 2022.
Following a search warrant at a home on Florence Street, officers located and seized cannabis and $8900 cash, with a 27-year-old man arrested at the scene and taken to Moree Police Station.
He was charged with 10 counts of supply prohibited drug, and possess prohibited drug. The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Moree Local Court on Monday 7 March 2022.
A 53-year-old woman was arrested when a search warrant was executed at a home on Blueberry Road. She was taken to Moree Police Station and charged with 38 counts of supply prohibited drug, and three counts of supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis. She was refused bail to appear at Inverell Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 3 March 2022).
Officers executed a search warrant at a home on Florence Street where they seized cannabis, cash and a mobile phone. A 65-year-old man was given a Future Court Attendance Notice for take part supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, and deal with property proceeds of crime. He will appear at Moree Local Court on Monday 2 May 2022.
About 8.25am, a 26-year-old man was arrested at a home on Jacaranda Drive and taken to Moree Police Station.
He was charged with four counts of supply prohibited drug and was granted conditional bail, to appear at Moree Local Court on Monday 11 April 2022.
New England Police District Commander, Superintendent Steve Laksa, said the arrests are the result of an outstanding investigation by the detectives based in Moree.
“We have listened to the concerns of the community regarding the supply of prohibited drugs and have taken strong action by charging numerous community members with serious criminal offences,” Supt Laksa said.
“I acknowledge the assistance that the local community has provided with supplying information that has led to these arrests today.
“Investigations have not finished, rather this is the start of an ongoing campaign against drug suppliers in the Moree community,” he said.
Inquiries continue.
If you suspect a person in your community is supplying prohibited drugs, contact your local police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Investigators welcome information from the community regarding the description of vehicles used to courier drugs, the identity of people who are suspected of supplying drugs and the names of those people who are suspected of buying drugs.
