26 May 2023

Man charged after alleged Cringila cocaine bust

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A vehicle stop in Cringila has led to drug charges. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.

Raptor Squad detectives have charged a man following an investigation into the large-scale supply of prohibited drugs in the Illawarra.

In February 2023, State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad South established Strike Force Gindurra to investigate the large-scale supply of cocaine by alleged associates of Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMCG) and Organised Crime Networks (OCN) in the Illawarra region.

Following extensive inquiries, about 2:45 pm yesterday (Thursday 25 May 2023), Traffic and Highway Command officers attached to Raptor Squad South stopped a vehicle on Sheffield Street in Cringila.

During a search of the driver and vehicle, police allegedly located a knife and approximately 56 grams of a white powder believed to be cocaine, which was seized to undergo further forensic examination.

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The 21-year-old male driver was arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station.

Just after 4 pm, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Corrimal Street, Wollongong, where they allegedly found gold jewellery, a watch, designer shoes, designer man bags and a further 200 grams of white powder believed to be cocaine.

Those items were also seized to undergo further examination.

The Wollongong man was subsequently charged with 25 offences, including 16 counts of supply prohibited drugs. He was refused bail to appear before Wollongong Local Court today (Friday 26 May 2023).

Investigations under Strike Force Gindurra continue.

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