Strike force detectives, assisted by Raptor Squad officers, arrested three men and two women this week. Photo: Supplied.
Five people have been charged with 161 drug and firearm offences and 15 firearms were seized following an eight-month investigation into drug supply in the Illawarra.
Lake Illawarra Police District established Strike Force Yirak in November last year to investigate the large-scale supply of drugs and firearms.
Strike force detectives, assisted by Raptor Squad officers, arrested three men and two women on Wednesday.
Search warrants were later executed at homes in Oak Flats, Bexley North and Pyrmont, where police allegedly seized a number of items, including methamphetamine, 97 litres of 1,4-Butanediol and more than $35,000 in cash.
During the investigation, police seized 15 firearms, including shotguns and pistols.
A man and a woman, both aged 24, were arrested during a vehicle stop on Central Avenue, Oak Flats, at about 10:45 am. During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly located methamphetamine, MDMA, ketamine, cocaine and butanediol.
The man was charged with 19 counts of supplying prohibited drugs and participating in criminal activity.
The woman was charged with 15 counts of supplying prohibited drugs and participating in criminal activity.
About half an hour later, a 50-year-old man was arrested during a vehicle stop at a car park in Haywards Bay. He was charged with 72 offences, including 48 counts of supplying prohibited drugs, supplying prohibited firearms, possessing more than three unregistered firearms and one prohibited/pistol, selling a prohibited weapon, owner/occupier allowing use as drug premises and knowingly directing activities of a criminal group.
At about 11:35 am, a 31-year-old man was arrested at a Bexley North home. He was taken to Kogarah Police Station and charged with 38 offences.
At about noon, a 30-year-old woman was arrested at a home at Oak Flats. She was charged with six counts of supplying prohibited firearms, possessing more than three unregistered firearms and one prohibited/pistol and selling a prohibited weapon to a person without a permit.
All five have been refused bail to appear at Wollongong Local Court today (29 June).
Investigations under Strike Force Yirak are continuing, with further arrests expected.
Anyone with information about drug and firearms supply is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
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