Strike Force Bodallin was carried out Wednesday last week, as part of an investigation of the supply and distribution of prohibited drugs - believed to be methylamphetamine – in the Tocumwal, Berrigan and Finley areas.
Two days earlier, an arrest had been made in Finley as a result of Operation Blue Ember - established to investigate organised crime groups and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs.
Operation Blue Ember is a joint operation led by NSW Police Force’s State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad and Victoria Police’s VIPER Taskforce.
They are assisted by both specialist – including State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad – and general duties officers from across both organisations and the NSW Crime Commission.
Notable results from the operation were released on Friday.
In included one arrest at Finley, about 9.30am Monday, April 28.
Operation officers conducted a firearm prohibition order compliance check at a home on Wollamai St, Finley.
“During the search, officers allegedly located and seized a shotgun hidden in a didgeridoo, a rifle, ammunition, a knife, a lock picking kit and three cannabis plants,” a NSW Police report said.
“Following the search, police arrested a 58 year-old man before taking him to Finley Police Station.
“He was charged with two counts of acquire firearm – subject to prohibition order, two counts of not keep firearm safely – not pistol/prohibited firearm, acquire ammunition subject to prohibition order, use prohibited weapon contrary to prohibition order, and cultivate prohibited plant.
“The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Finley Local Court on Tuesday, May 27.”
Notable Operation Blue Ember arrests were also made in Chiltern, North Albury, Deniliquin, Lavington, Heathcote, Wharparilla and Strahmerton.
As part of Strike Force Bodallin, four Southern Riverina residents were charged with more than 100 drugs and weapons charges combined.
It was the result of simultaneous search warrants executed at four properties by strike force detectives, with the assistance from State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad.
Two men, aged 43 and 24, and two women, aged 58 and 37, were arrested.
The younger woman was charged with 78 offences relating to drug supply, in addition to knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime, owner/occupier knowingly allow use as drug premises, and possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.
The 58 year-old woman was charged with five offences including participate criminal group, and four counts of knowingly take part in supply prohibited drug.
Both women have been refused bail to appear in Deniliquin Local Court on Tuesday, May 13.
A 43 year-old man was charged with supply prohibited drug less than or equal to small quantity, supply prohibited drug more than small and less than or equal to indictable quantity, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and possess prohibited drug.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Finley Local Court on Tuesday, May 27.
The 24 year-old man was charged with 20 offences including participate criminal group, seven counts of knowingly take part in supply prohibited drug, three counts of possess prohibited weapon, and owner/occupier knowingly allow use as drug premises.
A court date for the younger man has not been made available at this time.
Officers from Victoria Police also executed a search warrant in the Strathmerton area on the same day.
Officers arrested two people and seized an amount of drugs, believed to be linked to the investigation under Strike Force Bodallin.
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