DRUG BUST

July 9, 2008 at 5:43 pm

Police have infiltrated a multi-million dollar drug syndicate operating out of Cessnock and Lake Macquarie. So far 11 people have been arrested and charged with 109 offences, following early morning raids.

Police struck first thing this morning. Capturing the alleged drug dealers inside their homes.
Seven search warrants were executed in Cessnock, and one in Lake Macqaurie. 11 people have been arrested, seven of which belonging to the one family.

Assistant Commissioner and Northern Region Commander Lee Shearer said, “They are fairly big players, very disappointing to have seven members from the one family arrested in such significant drug supply matters.”

109 drug related charges have already been laid, with more to come.

While police only discovered what they describe as a small amount of drug during today’s seizures, the operation has been labelled a success.

“We’re satisfied that we’ve targeted significant drug dealers in the Cessnock area and they are now taken off the street,” says Ms Shearer.

Today’s operation was the second phase of strike force Nellinda, back in May police seized more than $1.5 million worth of ecstasy, large amounts of ice, cocaine and heroin as well as cash and jewelery from properties in Sydney and Lake Macquarie.

Nine of the offenders have been remanded in custody, the others have received conditional bail.
They’ll all appear in Newcastle Local Court over the coming weeks.