Hunter Region Enforcement Squad (RES) officers have seized a vintage car, cash and weapons, and have charged a man with large scale drug supply following a three-month investigation in Newcastle.
Strike Force Byssi was established by RES investigators in July 2022 to investigate the alleged supply of prohibited drugs in the Newcastle area, predominately cocaine.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force police – with the assistance of Operation Utah officers and police from Newcastle City Police District – attended a home on Woodstock Street, Mayfield, and arrested a 21-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman about 10.25am yesterday (Monday 10 October 2022).
Officers executed a search warrant at the property, where they seized more than $27,000 cash, four motorcycles, a pair of knuckle dusters, cannabis, a hydraulic press and a number of precursors believed to be used in the production of prohibited substances.
All items will undergo further forensic examination.
Two further search warrants were executed at storage facilities in Kotara and Raymond Terrace, during which police seized a 1969 Ford Mustang and a jet ski – both believed to be the proceeds of crime.
The man was taken to Newcastle Police Station and charged with supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, supply commercial quantity prohibited drug, and two counts of deal with proceed of crime.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Tuesday 11 October 2022).
The woman was released pending further inquiries.
Investigations under Strike Force Byssi are continuing.
Anyone with information about Strike Force Byssi is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
