Police say more arrests to follow after 21 charged in a four-day Illawarra drug blitz

Police say a string of arrests made in relation to illegal drug supply are not related to a syndicate operating in the Illawarra – but would not rule out links to organised crime.

At a Wollongong press conference on Monday (25 November), Detective Superintendent Tim Beattie said officers from Strike Force Lydd made 21 arrests in Berkeley, Warrawong and Port Kembla between Tuesday, 19 November, and Friday, 22 November.

Detective Superintendent Beattie said police have identified further people he expects will be arrested in the coming weeks.

The strike force was established in September to investigate the supply of methylamphetamine, cannabis and cocaine; however, as investigations progressed, a number of businesses supplying illicit tobacco products were also identified.

Drugs, knuckledusters, a taser, alcohol and illegal tobacco products were among the items seized by police in a series of raids on homes and businesses.

As part of the operation, officers audited tobacco stores and scrap metal businesses.

At about 10:15 am on Thursday, 21 November, officers executed a search warrant at a Warrawong tobacconist.

A NSW Police spokesperson said officers seized illicit tobacco products, including cigarettes, vapes, nicotine pouches and loose tobacco, with an estimated street value of more than $180,000.

A 34-year-old man was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where he was charged with four offences related to the supply of black-market tobacco.

He was granted bail to appear before Port Kembla Local Court on Wednesday, 18 December.

Detective Superintendent Beattie said no arrests were made in relation to the scrap metal businesses.

“This is an example of really good police work. All the individuals we arrested operated as individuals but were working in the same area,” he said.

“The individuals we targeted were involved in the ongoing supply of illicit drugs in commercial quantities.

“The Illawarra is not immune to drug supply, and we heavily focus on those who are involved in that industry.”

He was unable to comment on how the drugs are coming into the Illawarra, whether via the port, from Sydney, or through alternate means.

Detective Superintendent Beattie was also unable to comment on whether those arrested were part of a larger hierarchy.

Several of the arrests made as part of the crackdown were in public areas.

At about 12:15 pm on Tuesday, 19 November, police arrested a 51-year-old man at a car park in Allan Street, Port Kembla.

He was charged with nine counts related to supplying prohibited drugs and a charge of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

“A short time later, a search warrant was executed at a home in Port Kembla, and police seized drugs from the home,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.

The man was refused bail and will next appear at Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday, 29 January 2025.

Detective Superintendent Beattie called on the community to call in any suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.