Alleged conspiracy to supply 1.5 tonnes of cocaine unravels in the Hunter
Detectives, under Strike Force Blaine, have been investigating the distribution and supply of large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs by organised criminal networks operating along the Eastern seaboard of NSW.
Detectives identified three men in the Hunter Region behaving suspiciously, including using cash in the purchase of two marine vessels.
Police said the actions of the men were consistent with the methodology used by 'catching crews', tasked with collecting significant quantities of prohibited drugs dropped at sea.
About 5am Thursday June 26, strike force detectives, with assistance from Operational Support Group Operation UTAH and the Dog Squad, arrested a 34-year-old man during a vehicle stop in Eleebana.
The man was taken to Belmont police station, where he was charged with conspiracy to supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, recruit other to assist in carrying out criminal activity, and knowingly direct activities of a criminal group.
About 8.20am, detectives with Manning-Great Lakes police district arrested a 23-year-old man at an industrial worksite in Forster.
The man was taken to Forster police station, where he was charged with conspiracy to supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity and participate in a criminal group.
Strike force detectives then arrested a 24-year-old at Salamander Bay at about 11.20am.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace police station, where he was charged with conspiracy to supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity and participate in a criminal group.
All three men were refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Friday June 27.
Police also seized a commercial fishing boat in Lemon Tree Passage, which was taken to Nelson Bay for forensic examination.
Police will allege in court the three men stood to earn $3.4 million between them for their role in the alleged collection of the 1.5 tonnes of cocaine.
THE cash purchase of two boats in the Hunter was enough to tip detectives off to an alleged "conspiracy" to supply 1.5 tonnes of cocaine in NSW, worth an estimated $3.4 million.
Detectives, under Strike Force Blaine, have been investigating the distribution and supply of large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs by organised criminal networks operating along the Eastern seaboard of NSW.
Detectives identified three men in the Hunter Region behaving suspiciously, including using cash in the purchase of two marine vessels.
Police said the actions of the men were consistent with the methodology used by 'catching crews', tasked with collecting significant quantities of prohibited drugs dropped at sea.
About 5am Thursday June 26, strike force detectives, with assistance from Operational Support Group Operation UTAH and the Dog Squad, arrested a 34-year-old man during a vehicle stop in Eleebana.
The man was taken to Belmont police station, where he was charged with conspiracy to supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, recruit other to assist in carrying out criminal activity, and knowingly direct activities of a criminal group.
About 8.20am, detectives with Manning-Great Lakes police district arrested a 23-year-old man at an industrial worksite in Forster.
The man was taken to Forster police station, where he was charged with conspiracy to supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity and participate in a criminal group.
Strike force detectives then arrested a 24-year-old at Salamander Bay at about 11.20am.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace police station, where he was charged with conspiracy to supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity and participate in a criminal group.
All three men were refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Friday June 27.
Police also seized a commercial fishing boat in Lemon Tree Passage, which was taken to Nelson Bay for forensic examination.
Police will allege in court the three men stood to earn $3.4 million between them for their role in the alleged collection of the 1.5 tonnes of cocaine.
THE cash purchase of two boats in the Hunter was enough to tip detectives off to an alleged "conspiracy" to supply 1.5 tonnes of cocaine in NSW, worth an estimated $3.4 million.
Detectives, under Strike Force Blaine, have been investigating the distribution and supply of large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs by organised criminal networks operating along the Eastern seaboard of NSW.
Detectives identified three men in the Hunter Region behaving suspiciously, including using cash in the purchase of two marine vessels.
Police said the actions of the men were consistent with the methodology used by 'catching crews', tasked with collecting significant quantities of prohibited drugs dropped at sea.
About 5am Thursday June 26, strike force detectives, with assistance from Operational Support Group Operation UTAH and the Dog Squad, arrested a 34-year-old man during a vehicle stop in Eleebana.
The man was taken to Belmont police station, where he was charged with conspiracy to supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, recruit other to assist in carrying out criminal activity, and knowingly direct activities of a criminal group.
About 8.20am, detectives with Manning-Great Lakes police district arrested a 23-year-old man at an industrial worksite in Forster.
The man was taken to Forster police station, where he was charged with conspiracy to supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity and participate in a criminal group.
Strike force detectives then arrested a 24-year-old at Salamander Bay at about 11.20am.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace police station, where he was charged with conspiracy to supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity and participate in a criminal group.
All three men were refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Friday June 27.
Police also seized a commercial fishing boat in Lemon Tree Passage, which was taken to Nelson Bay for forensic examination.
Police will allege in court the three men stood to earn $3.4 million between them for their role in the alleged collection of the 1.5 tonnes of cocaine.
THE cash purchase of two boats in the Hunter was enough to tip detectives off to an alleged "conspiracy" to supply 1.5 tonnes of cocaine in NSW, worth an estimated $3.4 million.
Detectives, under Strike Force Blaine, have been investigating the distribution and supply of large commercial quantities of prohibited drugs by organised criminal networks operating along the Eastern seaboard of NSW.
Detectives identified three men in the Hunter Region behaving suspiciously, including using cash in the purchase of two marine vessels.
Police said the actions of the men were consistent with the methodology used by 'catching crews', tasked with collecting significant quantities of prohibited drugs dropped at sea.
About 5am Thursday June 26, strike force detectives, with assistance from Operational Support Group Operation UTAH and the Dog Squad, arrested a 34-year-old man during a vehicle stop in Eleebana.
The man was taken to Belmont police station, where he was charged with conspiracy to supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity, recruit other to assist in carrying out criminal activity, and knowingly direct activities of a criminal group.
About 8.20am, detectives with Manning-Great Lakes police district arrested a 23-year-old man at an industrial worksite in Forster.
The man was taken to Forster police station, where he was charged with conspiracy to supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity and participate in a criminal group.
Strike force detectives then arrested a 24-year-old at Salamander Bay at about 11.20am.
The man was taken to Raymond Terrace police station, where he was charged with conspiracy to supply prohibited drug large commercial quantity and participate in a criminal group.
All three men were refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Friday June 27.
Police also seized a commercial fishing boat in Lemon Tree Passage, which was taken to Nelson Bay for forensic examination.
Police will allege in court the three men stood to earn $3.4 million between them for their role in the alleged collection of the 1.5 tonnes of cocaine.
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