Four men have faced court charged with a combined 149 drug and firearm-related offences following an extensive investigation by Tuggerah Lakes Police.
In April, officers attached to the Tuggerah Lakes Police District’s Proactive Crime Team established Strike Force Twizz to investigate alleged drug supply offences in the Tuggerah Lakes area.
During the investigation, Police identified multiple drug supply offences across the Central Coast and Newcastle. Police enquiries also revealed the manufacture of privately-made firearms and homemade explosive devices.
“Yesterday (Thursday 12 November), strike force detectives – assisted by Northern Region Operations, the Tactical Operations Unit, Tactical Operations Regional Support, Raptor Squad, Dog Unit, Police Negotiators, and the Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit – attended locations across the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle as part of the investigation,” NSW Police said in a statement.
Two men – aged 35 and 37 – were arrested at Killarney Vale as a result of a coordinated arrest operation. A third man – aged 29 – was arrested in Waratah, and a fourth man – aged 28 – was arrested in Kincumber.
Officers subsequently executed search warrants at homes in Killarney Vale, Sunshine, Waratah and Kincumber. During the searches, Police located and seized several items of interest including prohibited drugs, prohibited weapons, 10 privately-made shotguns, a further seven firearms, as well as ammunition, homemade explosive devices, and electronics.
The 37-year-old Sunshine man was charged with 80 drug and weapons offences. The 35-year-old Killarney Vale man has been charged with 55 drug and weapons offences. The 29-year-old Waratah man is facing eight drug and weapons charges, while the 28-year-old Kincumber man was charged with six drug and weapons offences.
