Western region officers have dismantled a large-scale drug syndicate operating out of the Orana region under Strike Force Meridan.
In July 2024, officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District commenced Strike Force Meridan to investigate the organised supply of drugs in the Orana region.
Following extensive investigations, strike force officers – with assistance from Western Region Operations Support Group – executed multiple search warrants at properties in Dubbo, Mumbil, and Wellington at about 7.15am yesterday (Tuesday 4 February 2025).
During the searches strike force officers located and seized over $250,000 worth of vehicles including boats, cars, motorcycles and a caravan, $35,000 in cash, 6.5kg of cannabis, and 67 grams of methylamphetamine.
Following the searches police arrested nine people – a 27-year-old woman and eight men aged 33, 22, 30 – before taking them to Dubbo and Wellington Police Stations.
The 27-year-old woman was charged with a total of 58 drug-related offences including:
- 49 offences relating to supply prohibited drugs (including large, commercial quantities and on an ongoing basis),
- Multiple offences relating to supply cannabis,
- Knowingly direct activities of a criminal group,
- Knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and
- Owner/occupier knowingly allow use drug premises
The 33-year-old man was charged with a total of 58 drug-related offences including:
- More than 45 offences relating to supply prohibited drugs (including large, commercial quantities and on an ongoing basis),
- Multiple offences relating to supply cannabis,
- Knowingly direct activities of a criminal group,
- Knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and
- Owner/occupier knowingly allow use drug premises
The 22-year-old man was charged with:
- 14 supply prohibited drug offences
- participate criminal group contribute criminal activity
The 30-year-old man was charged with:
- participate criminal group contribute criminal activity
- three counts of supply prohibited drug
- two counts of larceny
All four people were refused bail and appeared in Dubbo Local Court today (Wednesday 5 February 2025).
Investigations under Strike Force Meridan continue, with more arrests expected.
