Strike Force Mote Media Release

NSW Police Organised Crime Squad detectives have charged two additional persons as part of ongoing investigations into large-scale drug supply in the Illawarra region.

Detectives from Lake Illawarra Police District established Strike Force Mote with the assistance of NSW Police State Crime Command and the NSW Crime Commission in May 2020 to investigate organised crime and commercial drug supply between Sydney and the Illawarra region.

Following further investigations, three simultaneous search warrants were executed at homes across Campsie and Croydon Park on Thursday 5 May 2022. NSW Police seized a safe, containing 1.5L of gamma butyrolactone (GBL), along with methylamphetamine, mobile phones, cash, electronic equipment and two vehicles.

Two men were arrested and charged. The older man was charged with 21 offences, including knowingly direct activities of criminal group, supply large commercial quantity prohibited drug, and supply indictable quantity of prohibited drug (x18).

The younger man was charged with participate in criminal group, four counts of supply indictable quantity of prohibited drug, and supply commercial quantity prohibited drug.

To date, Strike Force Mote investigators have arrested 16 people and laid more than 140 charges relating to fraud, commercial drug supply and firearm offences.

More than 5kg of methylamphetamine, 1.6kg of cocaine and 1kg of heroin have been seized, with an estimated street value in excess of $5 million dollars.

Investigations are continuing, with further arrests expected to be made.