Latest news with #StrikeForceBlaine
The Advertiser
27-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Alleged conspiracy to supply 1.5 tonnes of cocaine unravels in the Hunter
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. 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.
Al Etihad
11-05-2025
- Al Etihad
Five charged after $623m worth of cocaine allegedly found on boat off Australia coast
11 May 2025 09:31 SYDNEY (AGENCIES)Five people have been charged after police seized more than a tonne of cocaine allegedly found on a boat off the New South Wales (NSW) said they were tipped off before the drug bust following the "suspicious" purchase of a 13-metre motor cruiser, paid in cash, in Sydney's Sutherland investigation under Strike Force Blaine was then launched, which targeted drug supply and money South Wales (NSW) Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Strike Force investigators monitored the boat as it travelled up the NSW coast. As the boat travelled back to shore towards South West Rocks, the vessel was intercepted by the NSWPF Marine Area Command, around nine nautical miles from the coast of Nambucca Heads, at about 9.30am on men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested and taken back to shore. Police allege around 1,110 blocks of cocaine, weighing 1.039 tonnes in total, were discovered on the boat. The street value of the cocaine amounts to around $623 million, police other men, aged 28, 29 and 36, were arrested on shore after police stopped two cars attempting to leave the South West Rocks area. An investigation into the origin of the drugs and the group's alleged associates remains ongoing.
