Police Dismantle Alleged 'Ice Castle' Drug Syndicate
An alleged drug and firearms supply syndicate operating in NSW has been busted by police.
The drug supply operation was dismantled by NSW Police following nearly 12 months of investigation.
In August 2018, Strike Force Radius was established to investigate alleged methylamphetamine (ice) and gun supply in Tamworth. Two search warrants were executed on Wednesday at homes in the city.
"Strike Force Radius detectives have been investigating the activities of this syndicate for over 10 months,”Oxley Police District Commander, Acting Superintendent Kylie Endemi said.
“Prohibited drugs are incredibly dangerous -- and ice is renowned for tearing communities apart -- so we need to do everything we can to remove it and those supplying it from our local area."
At 6.30am on Wednesday, a 28-year-old man was arrested at his home and charged with supplying prohibited drug indictable quantity, supplying prohibited drug commercial quantity, participating in a criminal group and two counts of possessing prohibited drug.
Shortly after, a man and a woman -- both 49 -- were also arrested at a unit in South Tamworth. The man faces with 44 drug-related charges, while the woman was charged with seven offences. Police allege the unit was called the 'Ice Castle' by syndicate members.
Later, a further two people -- a 44-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman -- were arrested at separate homes in Tamworth. The man was charged with 24 drug-related offences, while the woman was charged with 20.
Police believe the alleged drug distribution spanned across NSW -- from Tamworth to the Central Coast-- and down as far as Melbourne.
“It is of particular concern to us that an illicit business, known to those that visit as the ‘ice castle’, has been operating in our community; but we take great satisfaction in dismantling such a destructive network," Endemi said.
Since the strikeforce was launched, police say they have seized 450g of ice, eight firearms, including pistols, shortened firearms and rifles, ammunition, and two electronic stun devices.
All five people were refused bail and will face Tamworth Local Court on Thursday.
Contact Siobhan at skenna@networkten.com.au