Charges laid after Woonona and Bellambi police raids

SEVEN people have been charged as part of raids across the Illawarra, including at Woonona and Bellambi, as police continue investigations into alleged large-scale drug supply operations and criminal networks in the region.

Strike Force Yuppara was established by detectives from Wollongong Police District to investigate the supply of prohibited drugs in the Illawarra region.

The police operation yesterday (Friday 16 August 2019) included seven search warrants executed with the assistance of the Public Order and Riot Squad across Woonona, Coniston, Wollongong, Unanderra, Dapto and Oak Flats.

Strike force detectives arrested and charged four men – three aged 20 and one aged 24 – and a 19-year-old woman, over their alleged involvement in the supply of cocaine and MDMA.

Two men, aged 20, were charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime (x5), possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity x11), supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis (x2), supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity x3), possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.

A third 20-year-old man was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity x10), supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis (x2), possess prohibited drug, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime (x4) and supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity (x2).

A 19-year-old woman was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, take part supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity x3) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.

A 24-year-old man was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity x3) and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.

Strike Force Yuppara inquiries were linked to an investigation by Criminal Groups Squad’s Strike Force Raptor South. As a result, three search warrants were executed by Raptor South at Bellambi, Mangerton and Mount Kiera yesterday, where two men – aged 26 and 30 – were arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station.

The 26-year-old man was charged with supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and possess prohibited drug.

The 30-year-old man was charged with supply prohibited drug (commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (large commercial quantity), participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.

They were all refused bail to appear at Wollongong Bail Court today (Saturday 17 August 2019).

Investigations by Wollongong detectives and Strike Force Raptor South are continuing.