BY IAN CROUCH
Police believe they've disrupted a very active and profitable firearms and drug supply chain in Newcastle.
Newcastle City Detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Douglas Street in Wallsend on Wednesday afternoon, arresting a 47-year-old man.
He's been charged with 31 offences, which police say are mainly drug related.
He's the fourth man to be arrested as part of investigations by detectives from Strike Force Bassy and Strike Force Uabba which have been established to investigate the supply of methamphetamine in the Newcastle and Wallsend areas.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, officers executed 5 search warrants at homes and units in New Lambton, Mayfield, Hamilton and Sandgate, arresting three men.
During the raids officers allegedly seized $30,000 in cash, cannabis, LSD, MDMA, prescription medication, a laptop, mobile phones and other items.
A 49-year-old man was arrested at a unit on Beaumont Street in Hamilton - he's been charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Another 49-year-old man was arrested at a unit in Carrington Street at Mayfield - he's been charged with supplying a prohibited drug.
All 4 men have been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today.
Newcastle City Police Commander, Detective Superintendent, Brett Greentree said it was a highly successful joint operation in the fight against illegal drugs and firearms.
"What it tells me is that both these strike forces, which are connected, and with the assistance of our State Crime Command colleagues, we have really disrupted what I would say is a very active and profitable local supply chain here in the Newcastle area," Det Supt Greentree said.
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| Detective Superintendent Brett Greentree addressed the media at Waratah Police Station on Thursday morning Picture: Ian Crouch |
