Police have charged 12 men following an investigation into an alleged drug supply network being run out of a licensed premises on the Central Coast.
Strike Force Tatiara was established by Tuggerah Lakes Police District, with the assistance of Brisbane Water Police District, to investigate the ongoing supply of prohibited drugs, including cannabis, cocaine and MDMA, by an organised criminal syndicate on the Central Coast.
Following initial inquiries by local police, an arm of the investigation was referred to State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad which commenced an investigation under Strike Force Delphyne into members of the syndicate allegedly using a licensed premises at Erina to launder the profits made through drugs.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives, with assistance from Tactical Operations Unit, arrested three men at a bar in Erina at about 2.30pm on Tuesday, February 13.
Two men, aged 30 and 35, were taken to Gosford and Wyong Police Stations, while the third man, aged 32, was taken to hospital for minor injuries before also being taken to Gosford Police Station.
A short time later, a fourth man, aged 25, was arrested at a nearby gym and taken to Gosford Police Station.
The 30-year-old man was charged with 12 drug supply offences and knowingly/recklessly directing a criminal group.
The 35-year-old was charged with four drug supply offences and participating in a criminal group.
The 32-year-old was charged with two drug supply offences and participatinge in a criminal group.
The 25-year-old was charged with supply prohibited drug, large commercial quantity.
The four men were refused bail to appear in Gosford Local Court.
Subsequent search warrants – with assistance from officers attached to Northern Region and Raptor Squad – were then conducted at the Erina bar, as well as at addresses in Terrigal, Sunshine, North Avoca, Wyee and Buff Point.
At a Terrigal address, police arrested a 27-year-old man who was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with two drug supply offences and participating in a criminal group.
He was refused bail and to appear before Gosford Local Court.
In Wyee, police arrested a 41-year-old man who was taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with 11 drug supply offences and supply prohibited drug on an ongoing basis.
The man was refused bail before an appearance in Wyong Local Court.
At North Avoca, strike force detectives arrested a 26-year-old man.
He was taken to Gosford Police Station where he was charged with 17 drug supply offences and participatinge in a criminal group.
The man was refused bail to face Gosford Local Court.
At Buff Point, police arrested a 53-year-old man who was taken to Wyong Police Station and charged with nine drug supply offences and participating in a criminal group.
He was also refused bail before an appearance in Wyong Local Court.
During the searches of the properties, police located a firearm, ballistic vest, a safe, a car of interest, electronics, prohibited drugs and other items relevant to their investigations.
All items were seized to undergo further forensic examination.
Just after 9.05am on Wednesday, February 14, a 25-year-old man was arrested at Wyong Police Station and charged with two drug supply offences and participating in a criminal group.
He was refused bail to appear in Wyong Local Court.
At about 10.10am on Wednesday, strike force detectives arrested a 37-year-old man in Blackett.
He was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station where he was charged with take part supply cannabis, indictable and commercial quantity; knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime; and participating in a criminal group.
He was refused bail and appeared at Mt Druitt Local Court the same day.
Also on Wednesday, at 12.20pm, a 24-year-old man was arrested at Gosford Police Station where he was charged with supply cannabis indictable and commercial quantity, and participating in a criminal group.
He was refused bail to appear in Gosford Local Court.
Later on Wednesday at about 7pm, a 21-year-old man was arrested at Toukley Police Station where he was charged with nine drug supply offences and knowingly directing activities of criminal group.
The man was refused bail to appear before Wyong Local Court.
Inquiries under Strike Force Delphyne and Strike Force Tatiara continue.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at nsw.crimestoppers.com.au