Five people have been charged with 161 drug and firearm offences following an eight-month long investigation into drug supply on the state's Illawarra region.
In November 2022, officers from Lake Illawarra Police District established Strike Force Yirak to investigate
the large-scale supply of drugs and firearms south of Sydney.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives – assisted by Raptor Squad officers – arrested three men and two women yesterday (Wednesday 28 June 2023):
- A man and a woman – both aged 24 – were arrested during a vehicle stop on Central Avenue, Oak Flats, about 10.45am. During a search of the vehicle, police located methamphetamine, MDMA, ketamine, cocaine, and 1,4 butanediol. All items were seized for further forensic examination. Both the man and woman were taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station, where the man was charged with 19 counts of supply prohibited drugs, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity. The woman was charged with 15 counts of take part in supply of prohibited drugs, supply prohibited drug, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
- About half an hour later, a 50-year-old man was arrested during a vehicle stop at a car park in Haywards Bay. He was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station and charged with 72 offences, including 48 counts of supply prohibited drugs, two counts of take part in supply of prohibited drugs, eight counts of supply prohibited firearm to unauthorised person, four counts of supply firearm to person unauthorised to possess it, three counts of supply, give ammunition to person not authorised, possess more than 3 unregistered firearms and 1 is prohibited/pistol, sell prohibited weapon to person without permit, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, unlawfully sell firearms three times or more within 12 months, owner/occupier knowingly allow use as drug premises, knowingly direct activities of criminal group and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
- About 11.35am, a 31-year-old man arrested at a Bexley North home. He was taken to Kogarah Police Station and charged with 38 offences, including 31 counts of supply prohibited drugs, two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, Supply pistol to person unauthorised to possess it, Supply, give ammunition to person not authorised, two counts of Supply prohibited firearm to unauthorised person, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
- A 30-year-old woman arrested at a home Oak Flats about 12pm. She was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station and charged with six counts of supply prohibited firearm to unauthorised person, two counts of supply, give ammunition to person not authorised, possess more than 3 unregistered firearms and 1 is prohibited/pistol, three counts of supply firearm to person unauthorised to possess it, sell prohibited weapon to person without permit, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
All five have been refused bail at appear at Wollongong Local Court today (Thursday 29 June 2023).
Search warrants were later executed at homes in Oak Flats, Bexley North, and Pyrmont, where police located and seized a number of items, including methamphetamine, 97L of 1,4 Butanediol, and more than $35,000 cash.
During the course of the investigation, 15 firearms – including shotguns and pistols – were also seized by police.
Investigations under Strike Force Yirak are continuing, with further arrests expected.
Anyone with information about drug and firearms supply 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.
