Seven people have been charged with alleged drug and firearm offences following a police operation near Coffs Harbour last week.
Between Monday 23 June 2025 and Friday 27 June 2025, Operation Purge ran across the Coffs/Clarence Police District to target drug and firearm offences.
The operation was conducted by the Coffs Harbour Region Enforcement Squad, assisted by the North Coast DV High Risk Offender Team, Coffs/Clarence Police District, and Raptor Squad.
During the operation, a total of 15 search warrants were executed at properties in Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Woolgoolga, Corindi, Sandy Beach, and Copmanhurst.
As a result of the search warrants, several prohibited drugs and weapons were allegedly located and seized.
Drugs allegedly seized include 8.2kg of cannabis leaf, 214 cannabis plants, 1.5kg of MDMA, 800ml of 1,4-Butanediol/GHB, 20g of methylamphetamine, 13g of cocaine, and 13g of psilocybin.
The seized drugs have a combined estimated potential street value of more than $190,000.
Weapons allegedly seized include two air rifles, two gel-blaster firearms, an electric stun gun, three flick knives, a butterfly knife, extendable baton, OC spray, handcuffs, two slingshots, and two knuckle dusters.
Following inquires, charges have been laid against seven people, with further charges against others expected.
Incidents of note include:
- About 1.15pm on Monday 23 June 2025, police executed a search warrant at a home on Smiths Creek Road, Upper Copmanhurst. During the search, police allegedly located and seized several items of interest including cannabis leaf, cannabis plants, two air rifles, and ammunition. A 56-year-old man was arrested and taken to Grafton Police Station where he was charged with two counts of possess unregistered firearm, two counts of not keep firearm safely, possess ammunition without holding licence/permit/authority, supply cannabis, cultivate prohibited plant, and possess prohibited drug. He was refused bail to appear before Grafton Local Court on Tuesday 24 June 2025, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before the same court on Monday 4 August 2025.
- About 11.40am on Tuesday 24 June 2025, police executed a search warrant at a property on Oliver Street, Grafton. During the search, police allegedly located and seized items of interest including methamphetamine, GHB, cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, prescribed restricted substances, a slingshot, and various other tablets and liquids. Inquiries into the incident and items seized are ongoing by police.
- About 9.50am on Wednesday 25 June 2025, police executed a search warrant at a home on Featherstones Road, Upper Corindi. During the search, police allegedly located and seized several items of interest including cannabis leaf, cannabis plants, steroids, fireworks, and a gel-blaster firearm. A 28-year-old man was arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where he was charged with two counts of possess prohibited drug, supply prohibited drug, cultivate prohibited plant, possess unauthorised pistol, possess unregistered firearm, and handle explosive/precursor without authorising licence. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday 30 July 2025.
- About 9am on Thursday 26 June 2025, police executed a search warrant at a home on Morgans Road, Sandy Beach. During the search, police allegedly located and seized items of interest including methamphetamine, cannabis leaf, cannabis plants, steroids, cash, a butterfly knife, and two flick knives. A 41-year-old man was arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where he was charged with five counts of possess prohibited drug, three counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, supply prohibited drug, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and cultivate prohibited plant. He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Thursday 26 June 2025, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday 23 July 2025.
- About 8.30am on Friday 27 June 2025, police executed a search warrant at a property on Ryan Crescent, Woolgoolga. During the search, police allegedly located and seized electronics, MDMA, steroids, prescribed restricted substances, jewellery, watches, handbags, knuckle dusters and a can of OC spray. A 26-year-old man was arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where he was charged with two counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit, supply prohibited drug, possess prohibited drug, deal with property proceeds of crime, and fail to comply with digital evidence access order direction. He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday 28 June 2025, where he was granted conditional bail to appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday 15 July 2025.
Similar operations will continue across the Northern Region.
