A third man has been charged with alleged commercial drug supply offences following an investigation by the Hunter Region Enforcement Squad.
About 6pm on Wednesday 18 March 2026, police stopped a vehicle in Thornton as part of an ongoing investigation.
During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly located and seized approximately 18.7g cocaine, 23.85g MDMA, $15950 cash, and two mobile phones.
A short time later, police executed a search warrant at a home on Chitambo Street, Macquarie Hills.
During a search of the home, police allegedly located and seized approximately 202g cocaine and 270g MDMA.
Police also executed search warrants at homes in Thornton and Rutherford, and a storage unit in Cardiff.
During the searches, police allegedly located and seized $271,475 cash, approximately 6.276kg of MDMA, 195g cocaine, fireworks, two gel blaster firearms, a cash counter, and electronics.
Two men – both aged 24 – were arrested and charged later that night. Both remain before the courts.
About 10am today (Monday 23 March 2026), a 21-year-old man was arrested at Newcastle Police Station.
He was charged with 11 offences, including:
- Four counts of supply prohibited drug (greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity),
- Two counts of supply prohibited drug (greater than small and less than or equal to indictable quantity),
- Supply prohibited drug (greater than or equal to commercial quantity),
- Supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis,
- Deal with property proceeds of crime (less than $100,000),
- Participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and
- Breach of bail.
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 2 today (Monday 23 March 2026), where he was formally refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 20 May 2026.
